This collection of entries is from the Category "Sports".
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wolves 3 - Marlies 2 - Shootoutposted at 10:00 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Why do they sign has beens? The White Sox agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent RHP Bartolo Colon. 8:19 PM Jan 14th from txt
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Wolves 6 - IceHogs 1posted at 09:45 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wolves 2 - Monarchs 7posted at 09:50 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wolves 6 - Bruins 0posted at 11:59 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Wolves 3 - Rivermen 2posted at 11:10 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Monday, September 29, 2008
White Sox 8 - Tigers 2posted at 10:30 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, September 28, 2008
White Sox 5 - Indians 1posted at 04:10 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, September 27, 2008
White Sox 6 - Indians 12posted at 10:00 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, September 06, 2008
White Sox 7 - Angels 6posted at 11:25 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, August 23, 2008
White Sox 3 - Rays 5posted at 08:05 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Baseball Park Fan SurveySports Illustrated did a survey of fans to determine the rankings of Major League ballparks. They had 10 categories and weighed each of them the same: Affordability, Food, Team Quality, History & Tradition, Ballpark Atmosphere, Fan Intelligence, Fan Hospitality, Promotions, Getting To The Game and finally Neighborhood.
Interesting... and since this is all about the "fan experience" at the ballpark, it's interesting to see where the parks ranked - and for what. A little unfair to the Washington Nationals as the survey was for RFK Stadium and not the new Nationals Park.
The survey was for your hometown park. Of the respondents, almost 15% were season ticket holders, and almost half went to at least 5 games a year. That means under 50% went to at least 5 games, so their fan experiences could have been based solely on one or two games... or even worse: what they've heard about the experience.
The Chicago ballparks? US Cellular Field - 8th, Wrigley Field 15th
read more of this entry »
Affordability
How would you rate the affordability of a trip to your hometown ballpark?
Best: Royals - Kauffman Stadium
Worst: Red Sox - Fenway Park
US Cellular Field: 18
Wrigley Field: 27
(also included was not a question but a ranking of where ticket prices at the park compare throughout the league. The average cost for a ticket according to "Team Marketing Report, 2008" is $25.43
Best: Diamondbacks - Chase Field - Avg Price $15.96 - Increase From 2007 15.7%
Worst: Red Sox - Fenway Park - Avg Price $48.80 - Increase From 2007 10.1%
US Cellular Field: 26 - Avg Price $30.28 - Increase From 2007 5.2%
Wrigley Field: 29 - Avg Price $42.49 - Increase From 2007 23.9%)
Food
How would you rate the food at the ballpark?
How would you rate the cost of food and beverages at the ballpark?
Best: Brewers - Miller Park
Worst: Mets - Shea Stadium
US Cellular Field: 2
Wrigley Field: 22
(also included in the survey are selected resonses to "What is the must-have food item offered at the ballpark and what makes it so good?")
Team Quality
How would you rate the quality of the product currently being put on the field by the hometown team?
Best: Tigers - Comerica Park
Worst: Pirates - PNC Park
US Cellular Field: 17
Wrigley Field: 12
(also included in the survey are selected resonses to "Which player on your team is the most worth paying to watch?")
History & Tradition
How would you rate the sense of tradition and history at the ballpark?
Best: Red Sox - Fenway Park
Worst: Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
US Cellular Field: 15
Wrigley Field: 3
Ballpark Atmosphere
How would you rate the atmosphere at the game?
How would you rate the level of personal comfort when you are sitting in your seat?
Best: Mariners - Safeco Field
Worst: Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
US Cellular Field: 8
Wrigley Field: 6
Fan Intelligence
How would you rate the "baseball intelligence" of the home fans?
Best: Cardinals - Busch Stadium III
Worst: Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
US Cellular Field: 4
Wrigley Field: 8
Fan Hospitality
How would you rate the hospitality offered to fans of the opposing team?
Best: Cardinals - Busch Stadium III
Worst: Phillies - Citizens Bank Park
US Cellular Field: 23
Wrigley Field: 24
(also included in the survey are selected resonses to "What is the worst incident you've witnessed against an opposing fan or yourself?")
Promotions
How would you rate the quality of the promotions/giveaways offered by the home team?
Best: Brewers - Miller Park
Worst: Red Sox - Fenway Park
US Cellular Field: 4
Wrigley Field: 16
(also included in the survey are selected resonses to "What is the best promotion/giveaway your team has offered? What is the worst? What is a promotion you'd like to see?")
Getting To The Game
How would you rate the traffic to and from the ballpark?
How would you rate the parking availability/cost at the ballpark?
How would you rate the public transportation options to and from the ballpark?
Best: White Sox - US Cellular Field ???? !!!!
Worst: Dodgers - Dodger Stadium
US Cellular Field: 1
Wrigley Field: 23
Neighborhood
How would you rate the dining and drinking options within walking distance of the ballpark?
Best: Padres - Petco Park
Worst: Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
US Cellular Field: 23
Wrigley Field: 2
So, the overall rankings were:
1. Indians - Progressive Field 2. Brewers - Miller Park 3. Pirates - PNC Park 4. Tigers - Comerica Park 5. Cardinals - Busch Stadium III 6. Mariners - Safeco Field 7. Rockies - Coors Field 8. White Sox - US Cellular Field 9. Angels - Angel Stadium of Anaheim 10. Phillies - Citizens Bank Park 11. Padres - Petco Park 12. Royals - Kauffman Stadium 13. Reds - Great American Ballpark 14. Orioles - Oriole Park at Camden Yards 15. Cubs - Wrigley Field 16. Astros - Minute Maid Park 17. Giants - AT&T Park 18. Blue Jays - Rogers Centre 19. Braves - Turner Field 20. Yankees - Yankee Stadium 21. Red Sox - Fenway Park 22. Dodgers - Dodger Stadium 23. Athletics - McAfee Coliseum 24. Rays - Tropicana Field 25. Diamondbacks - Chase Field 26. Twins - Metrodome 27. Rangers - Rangers Park in Arlington 28. Mets - Shea Stadium 29. Nationals - RFK Stadium 30. Marlins - Dolphin Stadium « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 02:52 PM | Link | Baseball | Care to comment? | § |
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Wolves 1 - Moose 2 (Overtime) 
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Miscellaneous items first:
The Allstate Arena got a new scoreboard! It looks just slightly larger than the old one, but it has new displays in each corner of the board, plus a small display above the main display to show advertising and then a large ring below where they could scroll messages and graphics around. It's like a real step-up in class for the place.
Went to customer service and got our Season Ticketholder gift which this year is a mini wolves helmet with Darren Haydar's autograph mounted on a base. I expected an actual mini helmet, but this feels like it was made out of the same material (whatever it is) that they make the bobbleheads out of, and it's painted the maroon color of the team - which is not the color of any of the helmets that the team actually wears. Shockingly, this is actually a pretty classy item for the Wolves.
Oh... it's Wednesday, so it's Hungry Hungry Hump Day... tonight's eating contest during the first intermission: donuts.
And now for the pain...
Tied 1-1, the teams struggle into overtime...
Toward the very end of overtime, we're struggling at the Moose net. I can't remember what I saw, but I think it was a Moose tripping a Wolves player. We were controlling the puck, so there's a delayed penalty call. Ondrej Pavelec gets pulled out of the net for an extra attacker. With 56 seconds left in overtime, Steve Martins gets the puck near the net, gets tied-up in traffic so he passes the puck...
... to nobody.
It sails all the way down the ice... into our net. Game over - we score the winning goal for the Moose.
Our well-fought seven-game win streak is snapped.
So, the goal can't be credited to a Wolves player - it has to be credited to the player that last touched the puck: Manitoba's goaltender Drew MacIntyre, marking just the ninth time in the history of the American Hockey League that a netminder has been credited with a goal.
(Game Summary - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:37 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Friday, February 15, 2008
Rockstar Curling?OK... saw this today... and it just FEELS like it's something out of The Onion... but... could it be true?
Somebody is floating the idea of a reality show that can actually produce - as a winner - an Olympian.
So... what kind of sport would work for that? How about... curling!
Now, it has turned into a American Idol reality thing with five male and five female slots to produce the entries to the Olympic tryouts.
The cool thing, that was unfortunately false, is that at one time they were talking about "closet curlers" that are rockstars would be involved - specifically John Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. How cool would that have been? How cool would it have been for those guys to expose more people to the sport?
posted at 01:32 PM | Link | Olympics | Care to comment? | § |
Monday, February 11, 2008
STH secret presale...w00T! Single game tickets went on sale this morning for the White Sox for Season Ticket Holders (not he general public. I love having the opportunity to get at tickets ahead of everyone else) . We grabbed-up tickets to opening day (since our package doesn't include it) and grabbed tickets for Elvis night in August.
I'm feeling better - it's feeling more like spring again... except for that snow and below zero temperatures...
posted at 11:04 AM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Wolves 3 - Admirals 1 
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A good, but not stellar attendance tonight - 9,431. Nothing much to say about the game itself... but it's your typical Saturday night group outings night again, this time with little kids next to Carol... who ALMOST tolerated them well.. and actually said civil words to one or two during the game...
...oh, and there was one of the Wolves' Post Game Skate parties. We stuck around so that I could take some pictures. One of the first girls to go on the ice fell and hit her head pretty bad. I don't think see ever made it out onto the ice.
(Game Summary - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:35 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Wolves 4 - IceHogs 2 
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Wow ... what an odd game...
First, this is starting to feel like it's turning into a real rivalry. Rockford is pretty physical. They're fast, and every hit just seems to have a little more to it.
The attendance was 11,419, but it felt bigger than that 12,022 2 weeks ago, but that's paid and I knew that there weren't that many because of the cold. Of course, a lot of groups... I got awfully pissed at the guy next to Carol that snatched a Chipotle Stress Ball right out of the air that was coming right at me during the pre-game... I mean REALLY pissed... I don't even come up to his shoulders and he reached in front of Carol to do it... I was robbed...
I'm not used to a team that doesn't shoot all that much. I remember games where we actually had 60 shots for a game just a season ago. In the 1st Period tonight, the Wolves had 3 shots. Now, on the plus side - we had 2 goals on those 3 shots (we both wound up with 27 shots for the night).
We were up 3-2 toward the end of the game. With 4.3 seconds left, Alexandre Giroux had a Power Play goal. (The Power Play was because Rockford pulled their goalie to add a man.. and somehow they eventually wound up with too many men on the ice)
After that, I'm not really sure what happened. I wasn't paying attention... I remember the goal... the teams were skating back to the bench to change lines... i looked away...
... Next thing I know, the benches are fighting... somebody from Rockford reached around the partition that separates the benches and hit one of our guys in the face... the officials are trying to stop the mêlée that ensued. I remember one linesmen going down after trying to step between two combatants as they lost their footing. it's a mess... players are trying to hold team members back. OK, well, goalie Robert Gherson was laughing his ass off holding on to someone... but still, things were bad.
Next thing I know, the ref is skating away from the bench and signals the time keeper by using a finger, pointing downward, and circling it ... sure enough he told him to just run down the clock - this wasn't going to get fixed to be able to play out the 4.3 seconds left on the clock.
By the time everyone gets off the ice, both coaches get a Game misconduct - Coach (75.5(iii)), both Fahey's (there was on on each side) get 10 minute Misconduct - Unsportsmanlike conduct (75.4), one guy on each side gets both a 10 minute Misconduct - Unsportsmanlike conduct (75.4) and a Game misconduct - Unsportsmanlike conduct (75.5(i))... and you just want to know what made a Rockford guy get a 10 minute Misconduct - Abuse of officials (40.4).
(Game Summary - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:16 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Wolves 5 - Monarchs 2 
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It was COLD tonight... we're in the middle of a Wind Chill Advisory until noon tomorrow. I totally expected an empty arena.
Wrong - 12,022 in attendance. My guess - mostly groups. Still, a great turnout considering the weather.
Unfortunately, because of the group sales, again, they were a bunch of "amateurs". They just weren't paying attention, getting up during play... and then ANOTHER one of my oh-so-many pet peeves: parents just not paying attention to their children, as evidenced by the kid next to carol that kept kicking her as he was crawling all over the seat during the game.
We haven't actually seen the Manchester Monarchs before (great colors - a royal purple and gold). It seems that all of these teams that we don't see often (because they're in different conferences and divisions) seem to be stronger skaters. Not bigger necessarily, but faster, stronger. It makes watching the play a lot more fun. When the score was finally tied 1-1, I had no idea that the Wolves would actually score 4 more goals (especially after Robert Gherson let the first goal softly trickle in)...
Another item for the game - 2 referees. We don't normally see that at our games, and we had never see either of these guys before (Kyle Rehman and Mike McGeough). I could see where this would be be so advantageous, as one of the refs would always be behind the play and it would cut down on some of the "chippyness" that is just so common.
Oh, speaking of jerseys... the Wolves have had this whole promotional campaign this year that is somewhat patterned after the presidential campaigns here "Vote Wolves 2008 - Hockey for the fans". This game was one of the three where the Wolves were wearing special red-whit-blue jerseys that are being auctioned-off for charity tomorrow (they always have 2 jerseys a year that specially designed to be auctioned for charities... the other jersey is always for St. Patrick's Day)
(Game Summary - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:47 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Wolves 5 - Marlies 4 
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Cool game: The two first place teams in the Western Conference. Before the game, Toronto was 25-8-0-4 with 54 points and the Wolves were 27-9-1-0 with 55 points.
And, it turned into a good game... after a while. A bit more exciting as it went. It just felt a bit tense along the way.
And.. still... what the hell is a Marlie? (Thank you Wikipedia... "The team is named after the former Toronto Marlboroughs junior hockey team, but the abbreviated "Marlies" name was chosen to avoid any potential association with the similarly named cigarette brand.)
Couple of cool non-game related things:
Before the game, Chris Marinucci dropped the ceremonial puck.
Second thing: Just seeing some of the fans that for some reason all showed up tonight. No Bob & Chris, and Laura is back at college and Joey is probably off somewhere... but to have LeRoy and Patti back in front of us was great. And to have Scotty and Joe show up.. .and re-spark the Penalty Box Police. It was a lot of fun as a fan, just because of these people around us for a change... and it sure is a hell of a lot better than the ignorant disrespectful noobies that are up the section from us...
(Game Summary - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:39 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Monday, October 29, 2007
Stealing a TacoOn the way home from work today, I had to stop by Taco Bell.
Now... why would I do that... and why would you care?
Because everyone in the United States is getting a free taco today. Now... again... why?
Because Taco Bell ran a promotion that was called "Steal a Base Steal a Taco". In a nutshell, if anybody in the World Series steals a base in a World Series game, America gets a free a free crunchy seasoned beef taco .
So - there it was: last Thursday, Game 2, bottom of the 4th. - Thank You Boston Red Sox rookie center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (he walked after two out, and stole second in a 2-1 win by Boston over Colorado)
The place wasn't crowded at all... you could only cash-in today from 2pm-5pm. I can't imagine what the chain's 5,800 stores were like during all of this.
read more of this entry »
EVENT: Taco Bell Corp. ("Taco Bell") is tapping into the national pastime with a completely outside the bun idea: During any game of the 2007 World Series (the "Games"), currently scheduled for Wednesday, October 24, 2007, Thursday, October 25, 2007, Saturday, October 27, Sunday, October 28, 2007, Monday, October 29, 2007 (if necessary), Wednesday, October 31, 2007 (if necessary), Thursday, November 1, 2007, (if necessary), Games or event dates and times determined in the sole discretion of the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, and/or Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., as applicable, and are subject to change, Taco Bell will offer the prize identified below for ANY "stolen base" as determined by Taco Bell in its sole discretion. For purposes of this event, an eligible "stolen base" is defined as a base stolen during regulation or extra innings play and is subject to the determination/designation of the official Major League Baseball scorekeeper as an official stolen base. Any attempted stolen base which does not result in an official stolen base as defined herein, will not be eligible for the "Free Taco" as outlined herein. If a base is stolen during regulation or extra innings play by any player for either team, Taco Bell will offer every person in the U.S. the opportunity to obtain one (1) free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Taco (Approximate Retail Value 77¢, prices may vary) ("Free Taco") at participating Taco Bell® restaurants in the United States on the date designated herein. No product substitution, cash redemption or alternative will be allowed. Only one (1) Free Taco will be permitted per person, regardless of how many eligible bases are stolen during the Games. In the event the Games are not played on October 24-November 1, 2007, the offer will be good during any Games of the 2007 MLB World Series to be announced.
ELIGIBILITY: No Purchase Necessary. This offer is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia only. Void in all other territories, possessions, commonwealths and all other countries. Void where prohibited. MLB Entities (as defined below) and employees thereof are ineligible.
SPONSOR: Taco Bell Corp., 17901 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614.
HOW TO OBTAIN A FREE TACO: If an eligible base was stolen during the Games, Taco Bell will make an announcement through selected media channels, including a press release and its web site (www.tacobell.com), that eligible consumers can obtain their free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Taco on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 (if base is stolen in Games 1 or 2 on October 24 or October 25, 2007) OR November 6, 2007 (if base is stolen in Games 3-7, October 27, 28, 29, 31, November 1, 2007) ("Redemption Date") only. To obtain the Free Taco, consumers must visit any participating Taco Bell® restaurant in one of the fifty (50) the United States or District of Columbia between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (local time) on the Redemption Date only and request a Free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Taco. Free Taco's will not be offered on any other date or time, regardless of circumstance. Limit one (1) Free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Taco per person. Participating Taco Bell restaurant manager reserves the right to deny Free Taco to any person he/she reasonably believes has already received a Free Taco or has engaged in any other fraudulent activity. All eligible consumers: Everyone in line at a participating Taco Bell restaurant before 5:00 p.m. local time will receive a Free Taco, even if it is provided after 5:00 p.m. Free Taco offer is subject to store availability and Taco Bell reserves the right to substitute an item of equal or greater value if due to unavailability. All restaurant managers decisions are final regarding to Free Taco offer. As a condition of the offer, consumers agree: (a) to release, and hold harmless Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., Major League Baseball Enterprises, Inc., MLB Advanced Media, L.P., MLB Media Holdings, Inc., MLB Media Holdings, L.P., MLB Online Services, Inc., the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, and the Major League Baseball Clubs, and each of their respective shareholders, employees, parents, directors, officers, affiliates, representatives, agents, successors, and assigns (hereinafter,"MLB Etities") and Sponsor and their affiliates, subsidiaries, retailers, sales representatives, distributors and franchisees, and each of their officers, directors, employees and agents ("Promotional Parties"), from any and all claims, demands, losses, promises, causes of action, and liabilities, in this contest/promotion or any use/misuse of the prizes awarded hereunder including a Free Taco, (b) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and participant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, consequential, or any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses; (c) all causes of action arising out of or connected with this Offer or any Free Taco or any advertising, marketing, promotion or publicity materials in connection therewith, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and (d) any and all claims, judgments, and award shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, excluding attorneys' fees and court costs. By participating, consumers agree that all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, participant's rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of State of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules. By entering, entrants consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the federal, state and local courts for Irvine, California.
Taco Bell is an official sponsor of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. Contest not produced or executed by any MLB Entity. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 04:50 PM | Link | Mundane | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Another season overBoston sweeps Colorado in the World Series... and thus brings to a close another baseball season...
My heart goes into hibernation until the spring...
posted at 11:32 PM | Link | Mundane | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Wolves 2 - Admirals 1 - Overtime - Home Opener 
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Back at the Allstate Arena for some AHL Hockey action. The season has started, and it's time to settle-in and start to gear-up to support the Chicago Wolves again. We watched the Season Opener in Houston last week and were mildly impressed with what we saw - again, new team, new faces, but some names that we enjoyed seeing again. I feel good about this year - I'm not as negative as I've been about this team as I have been in prior years... 10,209 showed-up, down from last year... but still a decent showing.
Nothing new around the Allstate Arena... the open and player introductions are about the same... even the faces in the seats around us of the returning Season Ticket holders are all there... and, you know... that's not a bad thing...
(Game Summary - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:46 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, October 06, 2007
So sorry.The Natural Order of things has returned to normal in Chicago.
posted at 08:31 PM | Link | Cubs | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, September 30, 2007
White Sox 3 - Tigers 13 
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The sun was low... shadows stretched across the entire playing field... children were running the bases... Nancy Faust was playing Auld Lang Syne ...
That was my last memory of U.S. Cellular Field as baseball season ended on the South Side of Chicago.
Many fans would - and did - say "Thank God THAT's over".
The Sox ended the season 72-90 - 24 games behind the division leading Cleveland Indians in 4th place.
One year ago, we ended the season 90-72. Interesting symmetry. (and then there was 2005 when we finished 99-63... and WON THE WORLD SERIES...)
Such a PAINFUL season... seams like it was just yesterday, but it was about 25½ weeks ago, when the season started, starting the same pitcher as today - Jose Contreras... who lost that Opening Day 12-5 against the Indians... seamed a fitting way to "bookend" the Season - 5-12 & 13-3.
What a disaster. A season that started with pundits claiming we may have the best bullpen in the majors, only to find out we didn't have starters that were ready to play, we didn't have ANY bullpen... and NO ONE was hitting to provide run support for the lousy pitching.
And here it is... the end of the baseball season... the time where I have always said in this blog, that the clock that I measure my life against stops... and doesn't start again until spring...
...and here, in the City of Chicago, where we won over many of the hearts of baseball fans just two short years ago by bringing a world championship to the city... all of those fans we won over... all of the goodwill that we had made...
IS GONE
... all because the Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc. has made it to the post season... and dreams of winning the first World Series in 99 years swirl through their heads...
All I can think of are all of those fans that spewed their HATRED of White Sox fans, in the vilest of comments, even as we made it through the playoffs .. .and to the World Series.. AND WON THE DAMN THING... when the city should just rejoice and celebrate, those fans did not... as they spat upon the ticker tape parade... those who didn't have the sense of mind to just SHUT THE HELL UP because your team did NOTHING that year... it was THEN that I realized that I would NEVER support THAT team...
To them, I will live my life through the post season as they had lived through ours in 2005.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 04:57 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, September 29, 2007
White Sox 3 - Tigers 2 
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It wasn't until the past MONDAY that Fox decided NOT to broadcast today's game, so the team moved the game to 6:05pm... which allowed United Airlines to sponsor the final fireworks night of the year.
What an odd game... first, as one of our runners was advancing to 2nd (i think on a bunt) the 2nd base umpire falls down and blocks the bag from the second baseman, so he couldn't get near the runner to tag him out (which caused manager Jim Leyland to go nuts and gets thrown out)... and then on a hit to right, the Tigers' Right Fielder Ryan Raburn... who overruns the ball... and as it goes through his legs, our runner scores and we win the game.
One other what I would consider funny story, this time before the game started:
On the left field scoreboard, they we showing the standings for each division... and usually just showing the top 2 teams, showing their won-loss record as well as how many games behind the teams were behind each leader...
...So... when in came time to show the National League Central standings, apparently the scoreboard staff just couldn't get themselves to do it, because all that was shown was "NL Central Standings" and the W L and GB column headings... the rest of the data was BLANK.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 01:57 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Friday, September 28, 2007
Wolves 3 - Monsters 6 - PRESEASON 
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Well, since our baseball season seamed to evaporate many many MANY weeks ago, we start to turn our attention toward... Hockey Season.
And, since the AHL is so cheap to go watch... and since they were playing at their practice facility which is in OUR TOWN at the Hoffman Estates Park District Community Center & Ice Arena - we went to a preseason game of the Chicago Wolves against a brand new team - the Lake Erie Monsters.
I felt bad for those guys when they took to the ice... because the only jerseys they had, were obviously practice jerseys that just had their numbers on them - both front and back - and no team emblem/logo on the front.
Our guys... well.. they didn't have their names on their backs... perhaps because MOST of the guys on the ice will be gone by Monday, but at least their jerseys looked like they've played before.
Though, after about 35 minutes of play you knew that most of them didn't play .. at least in the AHL.
I mean... 6 unanswered goals?
like i said... preseaon... we don't get very attached to them... I'll start worrying when the season starts next week... « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:04 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, August 05, 2007
A bit of relief?On Thursday morning, I lamented about I how I was feeling due to Baseball in Chicago.
I feel only SLIGHTLY better today.
The Sox won 4 straight, sweeping the Detroit Tigers knocking them out of first place, and are 7-3 in their last 10.
The Cubs lost tonight, are 5-5 in their last 10, and dropped a game out of first place.
Now, look... this has been just a crazy year... and I'm not saying that these teams are finally doing what I had expected them to do... far from it.
It's Chicago. It's August.
ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. You just never know.
posted at 09:35 PM | Link | Baseball | Care to comment? | § |
Thursday, August 02, 2007
A city full of tiesMy world is crumbling in front of me...
My team, the Chicago White Sox are tied for last place in the AL Central Division (13 games out with the Kansas City Royals).
And... there's that "other" team... the Chicago Cubs are tied for first in the NL Central Division with the Milwaukee Brewers (6 games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals).
I feel ill.
And, with the Cubs up for sale, I have to admit that there's a noble campaign going on: a group of Chicagoans working to facilitate a fan-owned buyout of the Chicago Cubs and restore the voice of the fans within baseball - 4FansSake.com
posted at 08:19 AM | Link | Baseball | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, July 29, 2007
White Sox 1 - Blue Jays 4 
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Uuugghh...
Well, 2-out-of-3.
At least we got to see Thumbelina before the game.
Another fast game - 2:21. Guess that happens when nobody scores for 7 innings. I seem to have a problem with Javier Vazquez. Now, I know he's a really hot pitcher right now, but I've been feeling that he just can't go long anymore... he feels like he just falls apart, and is very inconsistent. Ozzie came out to the mound for a visit in the 8th... and when I saw Ozzie leave, I said that was a mistake. Sure enough, 4 runs later (well, 2 were earned, and one scored when Bukvich came in, another pitcher I'd rather not see again).
Oh, and I have to say... it was nice to see Frank Thomas again... and it was nice to have the crowd give him a warm welcome... 503 homeruns in his career so far (448 with the White Sox over 16 seasons)
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posted at 04:43 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, July 28, 2007
White Sox 2 - Blue Jays 0 
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In a season that is just the crappiest baseball season that I could remember in years... decades perhaps... tonight was a game that was really quite enjoyable.
First the weather - it's seems like ages since we've been to a game and actually sat in our seats... a great night, cloudless, mid-70's.. OK, a little breezy, but a good night.
To add to that - a great pitching matchup: Roy Halladay against our Mark Buehrle.
It was just a low scoring, fast paced game... pretty well played, I think (yes there were errors on both sides) and.. yes.. we left 9 guys on base. But, hey, it was just nice to really enjoy a good baseball game.
Somehow I felt we were owed that.
Now... if you could call this a negative, and normally I would never do that, the game was short: 2:07.
Now WHY OH WHY would that be a negative? It's fireworks night... hard to enjoy fireworks when the sky is still light.
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posted at 09:34 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, July 08, 2007
White Sox 6 - Twins 3
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Gametime temperature - 90... I think that was a lie, only because we saw a thermometer on the way home that said 100. MUCH windier today, too
Still hot upstairs... went back down to the Rain Room for two passes today.
So... we won again today, and wound up actually splitting the 4 game series! I NEVER would have thought that possible after Friday night.
Javier Vasquez threw another complete game. Three homeruns by Mackowiak, Thome and Konerko.
After the last out, we see camera shots of Mark Buehrle, out of the dugout, waving to the fans. Of course, the Stadium Club people in charge of the audio/video feed to the room SUCK BIG TIME, and we couldn't hear what was going on, but in the light of the trade rumors, the rumors about an impasse in his contract talks... it was hard to interpret what was going on... was he waving goodbye to the Chicago fans? was he waving saying "well thanks for the support on the first half... hope to see ya in the second half"?
The scoreboard in left field finally displayed the announcement, that apparently Gene Honda was reading of the stadium P.A. :
MARK BUEHRLE AND THE CHICAGO
WHITE SOX HAVE AGREED ON
A FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT
EXTENSION THIS AFTERNOON THAT
WILL KEEP MARK
IN A SOX UNIFORM
So, here we are at the All-Star break - 36-47 (.453), 13 games behind 1st place Detroit (Cleveland is in 2nd, just a game back, and Minnesota - that we just split with - is ahead of us 8 games back... oh... and Kansas City is in last behind us, 2 games back from us)
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posted at 06:05 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, July 07, 2007
White Sox 3 - Twins 1
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VERY HARD to get excited about going to the game today. VERY HARD. I'll start first by saying that the weather is going to be bad this weekend, and it should have been in the 90's for the start of the game (though the boxscore says gametime was 85 degrees). It was going to be miserable, so we made reservations for the Stadium Club Bar, on the glass for great views. Both days, since tomorrow would be even hotter.
Well... let's talk about the other reason(s) why making the pilgrimage to the park is difficult. We're 37-47 coming into today - 10 games under .500 - a stark difference from the World Series year, or even being in contention last year. In 4th place in the division, 13 games behind the leader.
To add insult to injury, the team played two games yesterday, the first being a makeup from a freeze-out in early April. Talking about frozen... the score of the first game yesterday? 20-14. You didn't read that wrong - it was 2 runs shy of tying the American League record for Total Runs in a Game at 36. Normally, 14 runs is enough to kill your opponent - not yesterday. It got out of hand when starting pitcher Jon Garland only made it through 3 1/3 innings throwing 90 pitches to 25 batters, giving up 11 earned runs (12 total), 2 homeruns, 3 walks and not a single strikeout. Oh, the team not only gave up 20 runs but 21 hits, 8 walks (ooooo! 1 strikeout!) and 5 errors. And we still scored 14 runs, and had the bases loaded in the 9th.
So, you would think: put that behind you the second game will be different. We lose the second game 12-0. NO RUNS... 5 hits.
Between two games, we lost 32-14.
And you wonder why we didn't want to go to the game today? The Stadium Club was warm, and there was no air circulation against the glass where we were... we just kept drinking water, having the server bring us glasses of ice. During the course of the game I went downstairs and took a quick dash through the Rain Room to get wet and cool off. I noticed, however, when I was downstairs that it really didn't feel all that bad... I mean, it was hot, but there was a slight breeze... and just having the air move made it feel better...
Speaking of feeling better, the Sox WON the game 3-1. Mark Buehrle had a solid outing. We won, but it felt bittersweet as Buehrle has been the subject of MANY rumors about his contract negotiotions... and with him being the pitching star of the team, and the team doing so poorly, It would be hard to not deal him to get something back to put this tam back together.
But we WON... today.
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posted at 08:05 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Friday, May 04, 2007
Wolves 4 - Stars 5 - West Division Final Game 2 
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3,936 - a bit more than Wednesday...
...and a different team showed-up to play, a team we hadn't seen in the playoffs: slower, fatigued.
They struggled the whole game to gain the lead and hold it, and just couldn't get it together at the end.
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me Summary - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:04 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Wolves 7 - Stars 0 - West Division Final Game 1 
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Well, I didn't talk about it, but the Wolves swept Milwaukee and made it to the next round, which quite frankly shocked us.
So, here we are in the next round against the Iowa Stars. 2,408 in attendance - pretty typical for a weeknight playoff game. And what a game - 2 goals in the first 1:03, the last goal with 8 seconds left in the game, and our 6th goal was a shorthanded empty-netter. A VERY strong game, a shutout, and we forced them to change goalies.
I love the way we've been playing...
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posted at 10:18 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, April 29, 2007
White Sox 2 - Angels 5posted at 04:57 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Saturday, April 28, 2007
White Sox 0 - Angels 3
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This is already pretty far into the season, but today is the first day we are at the ballpark and actually sitting in our seats. These actual seats have been replaced since last year, and are the new forest green color, with a vented back (makes it look slats like an old-time seat), matching the other seats that were replaced last year. Now, the whole park is forest green - a wonderful look, something I've wanted for years. They also have another feature - the old blue seats faced directly straight out from the rows. The old seats actually faced the outfield from where we sit (down the 1st base line, out past first base, but before where the right-fielder would normally stand). The new seats, while still in rows facing outward (parallel to the concrete rows), are actually "canted" about 22 degrees toward the plate, giving a better view!
Be careful what you wish for - the seats are a smidge narrower to accommodate the tilt, and also there is slightly less leg room (which for us short people, isn't really a big deal).
Nice crowd tonight, too - 38,208, though a bit... strange. not paying attention, slow walking, stopping, not paying attention to people around them.
Too bad we lost again.
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posted at 10:52 PM | Link | White Sox | Care to comment? | § |
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Wolves 4 - Admirals 1 - West Division Semifinal Game 2 
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What the hell are we doing in a building that is this cold? The weather FINALLY has just busted open... it was 83°F outside!!!! OK, it was a little windy, but it was hot! Well, maybe hot is a little strong.
The intensity was almost the same, but we just dominated again... OK, not really the same intensity, but sort of close... The Admirals Booster Club was back in the same place... confident that their team would take the series back...
No such luck. And yes, their one goal was going to happen with the way they were swarming the net.
Now, for a team that I wrote-off before the playoff, they lead a Best Of 7 series 2-0...
Have to watch getting too confident...
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posted at 08:46 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Friday, April 20, 2007
Wolves 3 - Admirals 2 - West Division Semifinal Game 1 
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So, after a year absence, it's back to Playoff hockey for the Wolves.
WOW.
I noticed the last time that we played the Admirals: The intensity of the play was so escalated. And no in the playoffs, we were able to see that first hand. Speed, scrappiness, always going after the puck, always trying to control. We SO outplayed the Admirals in the first two periods.
Now - third period? OK, different story. The energy level wasn't exactly the same. And then, they allowed a Penalty Shot (though we question on whether the penalty that happened really warranted the shot) which brought them to one goal of a tie...
Was SO enjoying the game though... I just hope they can keep this up.
Oh... and the added little... ummm... entertainment... the Admirals Booster Club was seated the next section over... yeah... they tried to cheer their team on... they were pretty cocky... but they were awfully quiet each time we scored...
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posted at 10:44 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Wolves 5 - Moose 2 
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Ok... 7 penalties all game, making for a nice intense struggle throughout the game. It was still strange though...
Why?
The first 6 penalties were all Hooking calls. We were convince the ref (Dean Morton) only knew the one infraction, and couldn't call anything else. It tool until 7:40 in the 3rd to get a different penalty (Cross-checking).
Oh.. and we didn't know if our last goal counted, since it happened right at the final horn...green light no red light... then the red light came on later... sure enough, looking at the game summary, they scored at at 19:59 in the 3rd (scored by Darren Haydar, his 38th of the season)
(Game Summary - Gamesheet)
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posted at 10:17 PM | Link | Wolves | Care to comment? | § |
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Wolves 4 - Rivermen 3 
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In my twisted sort of way, I like it when there are only 3,918 in attendance, compared to Saturday when there was 12,829 against the Admirals
Highlight: Brett Sterling's hat trick
Oh... and when we left the game, it was sleeting, and the cars had piles of ice on them... this after the 73°... I knew that was going to be short lived...
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posted at 10:31 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Wolves 4 - Admirals 6 
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What an odd, strange game... and not in a good way...
The Wolves scored at 4:13 into the period - it was the first shot of the game for both teams. Milwaukee didn't have a shot on goal until 15:45 into the period! We were up 3-0 until 18:24 in the first. Now, this is important, because after being up 3-0, Milwaukee had 5 unanswered goals through 17:32 in the 3rd.. .how do you lose a 3 goal lead? Now, I've complained about our goalie situation all year... they are inept and we will never get through the playoffs without a good netminder... only thing worse that this team does, is pulling the goalie when down by a goal. the defense just can't support that. Sure enough, we let them into the zone and they scored at 19:57 in the third.
It's all about the net, people...
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posted at 10:44 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Wolves 3 - Bulldogs 6 
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Wow... the start of the game was great... hardly a whistle... for a penalty OR offsides... and the energy and intensity were through the roof... and then the rest of the game happened...
On the plus side, Jason Krog is back with the team and scored two goals...
On the negative side, we just don't have a reliable goalie... tonight was Freddie Brathwaite's turn to suck, imitating a sieve for a piece of time on the ice tonight...
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posted at 10:07 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Friday, March 02, 2007
He can be worth how much?Have you heard about this story about a minor league pitcher?
Matt White. 29 years old. Only pitched 9 2/3 innings in the majors, over 9 professional seasons in just 7 games. Journeyman. He's a non-roster invitee to Dodgers spring training. Can he make the team? Doubtful, I think. But, I think he'll do OK...
Flash back 3 years ago. His great aunt was going into a nursing home and needed to raise some cash. He bought a 50-acre mountain-top lot of hers for $50,000.
He starts to clear 4 acres of the land to build a house, but had problems because they kept hitting these large flat rocks. There was so much rock, that he called a local geologist at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to find out what it was.
It's mica schist, a slate-like shiny metamorphic stone used for patio decks and other construction.
OK, cool... you can sell it. It sells for $100 a ton. Now, it's gonna cost money to get the rock removed.
But... let's do some quick calculations...
$100 per ton... The geologist estimated there were 24 million tons of the stone on his land.
This journeyman pitcher, that didn't make more than $300,000 in his entire career... is sitting on... potentially...
$2.4 BILLION of rock.
posted at 08:48 AM | Link | Baseball | § |
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Wolves 0 - Knights 2 
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The story here is actually the weather... it's miserable, Winter Storm Warnings... Carol continually questioned me and commented as we drove toward the Allstate Arena. It was sloppy. Fortunately there weren't a lot of people on the road, but it was very slow going... I was surprised on how many cars were in the parking lot. Clearly, this was... or was going to be... a well-attended game. Another way to tell - The Grille was open for business - it's only open and staffed when there's a good crowd.
Clearly, the AHL counts tickets sold and not turnstile for attendance figure, because the official attendance tonight is listed as 14,113.
This wasn't the same team that we had saw the last time we were here. Lethargic. We were outshot 15-5 in the first period. I took a walk during the first intermission - I saw somebody going outside for a smoke, and it looked like a blizzard outside..
The game sucked - another 1-0 game... until they pulled our goalie in the last minute... dumb move if your defense hasn't stepped-up. Omaha scored.
Speaking of Omaha, this is the first time that we saw this team. The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights. Odd name. Ak-Sar-Ben is Nebraska spelled backward. And speaking of spelling...
...the tickets for tonight's game, as well as tickets for another game coming up, where all misprinted.. instead of saying
OMAHA AK-SAR-BEN KNIGHTS
it says
OHAMA AK-SAR-BEN KNIGHTS
...how embarassing...
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posted at 10:50 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Wolves 6 - Crunch 2 
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What a great game for a change! All six goals scored by someone different - everybody stepping up... a nice change... (2 powerplay and one shorthanded, too)
This was the first home game in a few weeks.. they've been on the road for 9 games... all in Canada.. I think their record was 5-2-1-1 which is pretty good for them.. points in all but 2 games.
Always strange seeing a former Wolves player on an opposing team - today it was Ben Simon - he hasn't been with the Wolves since the 2004-05 season, and he's been up and down since, but.. i remember the guy... Carol claims she never heard of him... thought she would remember Benny.. and he had 3 penalties tonight...
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posted at 07:50 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Wolves 4 - Marlies 5 
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Boy, this is getting messy... a team comes to town with a losing record, and yet we play down to their level.
And what does the Team Name mean anyway?
Only redeeming point was not the game itself, but the regular Wednesday Night food eating contest during the first intermission called "Hungry Hungry Humpday". This week - MY FAVORITE snack - Edy's (or Dreyer's) Dibs. It was how many Ice Cream Dibs (I don't know the flavor, but it looked like vanilla) you can eat in 4 minutes. I SO could have done this contest... and, it turned out, that it wasn't how many you can eat in 4 minutes, but rather how quick you could eat the 60 Dibs in the bucket, Since the winner finished before the 4 minute mark. If ever there was a food to eat in "Hungry Hungry Humpday", this was mine. I wish I knew about it...
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posted at 10:44 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Wolves 3 - Bulldogs 6posted at 10:37 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Friday, January 12, 2007
Wolves 0 - Pengiuns 1 
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Great matchup tonight - The Wolves (26-12-1-2) and Penguins (26-7-2-2) are the number one and two offensive powers in the league. A little boring, but hard fought, ending in the first shutout of the season for the Wolves.
DDarren Haydar had ended his 39-game point streak on Tuesday. His point streak finished tied with Wayne Gretzky for the fourth-longest of its kind in professional hockey history, as well as an American Hockey League and Wolves franchise record, and he leads the league with 55 assists and 79 points.
The non-hockey sort of related item - the 5 millionth fan came through the turnstile.
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posted at 10:34 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Wolves 3 - Americans 5 
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What a lousy game... the boys were outplayed big time... they were stronger, faster, more intense. I'm still not liking Fred Brathwaite in goal... in two periods the Wolves held Rochester to just 7 shots... but Freddie allowed 3 goals on those 7 shots (we out shot them 39 to 15).
There was another almost depressing thing... the league's Points Leader Darren Haydar looked like he just wasn't getting setup and taking shots all night. Then, with 8.8 seconds left in the game, he finally gets an assist on a shorthanded goal.
Why was this noteworthy? He leads the AHL with 53 assists and 75 points (the most by a player in Wolves history through 36 outings) and ranks fifth with 22 goals. He has more assists than any player in the league has points, (excluding linemate Brett Sterling.) His +24 plus/minus rating is also the best in the league. They guy is good, fun to watch... I thought he wouldn't get a point in this sloppy game...
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posted at 10:44 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Wolves 2 - Admirals 3 (Shoot-out)posted at 10:33 PM | Link | Wolves | 1 comment | § |
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Wolves 5 - Stars 2 
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A typical weekday night - 4,028 people there... and Carol and I were talking that, we like it when it's empty. Oh sure, we love when there nobody sitting around us, so they're not standing up and trying to get something to drink or eat in the middle of play (Hey! Idiot! Wait for the whistle!). But even better is being able to hear more of what is going on during the game: the sound of the skates, the passing, the checks, the yelling from the bench...
A pretty good game tonight... we had 4 goals in the 3rd, one shorthanded, 2 within a minute of each other...
Oh, and the referee, Shaun Davis, was whistle happy with Interference calls, including one of Goaltender Interference against Nathan Oystrick when he hit Dan Ellis when he was out past the circles playing a puck! How is that interference? Did we not see something????
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posted at 10:23 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Wolves 5 - Rampage 4posted at 10:25 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Wolves 5 - Griffins 3 
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American Hockey League season-high 13,718 people at the game tonight.
First, the team: being away from home for a few weeks has really helped the team. We've had only 1 loss on the road, and they brought that discipline home. They played very well tonight... they're a lot faster than prior years, and they seem to setup plays a bit better... though goalie Michael Garnett needs to be chained to the net to stop him from roaming so much.
Now, let's talk about the 13,718 idiots at the game...
WAIT FOR THE WHISTLE!!!
All of the damn group sales people, sitting in the middle of our section, who just don't understand that YOU DO NOT STAND UP AND MOVE THROUGH YOUR ROW TO LEAVE TO GO... SOMEWHERE... WHILE PLAY IS GOING ON.
A steady, continuous stream of kids, parents, parents and kids, and 20-somethings needing beer developed thoughout the game... disturbing us... the people behind us... the people behind them... ad infinitum...
I am thoroughly surprised that we saw any of the game, let alone seeing the goals... oh, and that last series of fights all going at the same time (i have never seen a player give up during a fight)
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posted at 10:47 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Sunday, November 05, 2006
7-1Boy, the team looked BAD... and they had to lose against.. the Dolphins???
So much for 16-0...
posted at 03:55 PM | Link | Bears | § |
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Wolves 3 - Phantoms 2 
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Our first home win! woot!
I haven't talked about the games much... probably because I've been really distracted this year by the fans around us. There are people that we knew for the prior years that appear to be gone, giving up their tickets. A few people moved around. Then, there are a few new people that we don't remember seeing before.
I haven't been enjoying the games much... other than the team sucking at home, I'm getting pissed at some of the people around us. You tend to notice things more when there's under 4000 people in the place. I'll have to talk about it sometime... there are just idiots at the game... is it because the sport draws this "type"?
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posted at 10:57 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
One year ago today...What happened a year ago tonight?
The Chicago White Sox won the World Series.
It's now time to crown a new champion... and we become.. nothing. Losers. Not even in the playoffs when we should have been.
I'm rooting for St. Louis.. I don't want want the Detroit Tigers to win... that way, in my twisted head, the White Sox will still be the last American League winner of the World Series...
Twisted...
posted at 06:42 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Wolves 4 - Moose 7posted at 10:23 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Sticking it to Chicago baseball fansThe title refers to the 2006 World Series.
You see, no matter which Chicago baseball team you favor, root for, die for... this year's World Series has to feel painful.
Why?
Well, if you follow the White Sox (as I do), then having the Detroit Tigers - the team's nemesis from your own division - as the American League rep, just stings like hell.
Now... if you follow that "other" Chicago baseball team (the Chicago Cubs), then you're in the same situation: the team's nemesis from your own division - the St. Louis Cardinals - as the National League representative.
Both representatives from their Central Division. OUR division.
Ouch.. that hurts... (WE should be there!)
posted at 10:44 PM | Link | Baseball | § |
Monday, October 16, 2006
Barely 6-0Monday Night Football - the death knell for the Chicago Bears since 1997, their 5-0 unbeaten record on the line.
Halftime - the Bears look awful, and are losing 20-0. No offense (Rex Grossman looks as if his success has been a fluke), the defense looks terrible against the pass. They suck.
All of a sudden, they returned two fumbles for touchdowns. Then Devin Hester returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown with 2:58 remaining to take the lead.
Yep.. they won 24-23. 6-0. Unbeaten.
(NFL.Com Gamecenter Game Stats)
posted at 11:12 PM | Link | Bears | § |
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Wolves 1 - Admirals 5 
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Another season has come, and we're back at the Allstate Arena for some AHL Hockey action. The Wolves have a 2-0 start to the season, and tonight's the home opener. Half the adventure of the first home game is actually just looking around and seeing what people are back in their seats (some people are missing, some people changed seats, some people don't even look the same!)
The other adventure is seeing the team for the first time... a bunch of guys that we just don't know. And, continuing from last year, a disappointing showing. 12,128 show up to see a loss.
And, unlike last year, there's no local post season baseball to fall back on.
Oh.. and the Milwaukee Admirals? New logo. Has NOTHING to do with an Admiral... it's a stylized skull with a pirate hat...
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posted at 10:36 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Thursday, October 12, 2006
White Sox + 7-Eleven = 7:11Oh, crap... more ways to get corporate sponsorship (and revenue) at a ball game: White Sox enter partnership with 7-Eleven. Now, guess what times Night Games will start at U.S. Cellular Field during the week during 2007?
Yep. 7:11 pm. For the next three years.
Now... how about even more expensive seats at the park? They're MOVING the Press Box behind Home Plate. The old Press Box on the mezzanine level of the ball park is being converted into a new club lounge featuring 220 premium seats, with a lounge and restaurant-type food service. The new seating area will retain the movable windows of the press box. The seats will cost $250 each and will be available only in a full season-ticket plan, and went on sale Monday. The press gets to move to the 400 Level of the stadium along the first-base side.
The team's only other off-season renovation will be the continued replacement of blue seats to green seats throughout the park. About damn time! We'll finally get our new seats... and rumor has it that they will actually be pitched/turned/twisted to face more toward the plate.
posted at 01:18 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Adding Insult to InjuryLess than 24 hours after being eliminated from play-off contention, guess what I got in a DHL Express packet today?
Yep.
My playoff tickets.
Bastards.
posted at 08:28 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Monday, September 25, 2006
Officially OverThe White Sox played Cleveland tonight - Lost 14-1.
The team was officially eliminated from the playoffs.
I knew it was coming... it doesn't diminish the hurt that I feel about a team that played so far under their potential.
No ALDS. No ALCS. No World Series.
Crap... I enjoyed them so much last year.. I got used to them.
As far as I am concerned, he season is over. They are dead to me now.
posted at 10:28 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, September 24, 2006
White Sox 12 - Mariners 7 
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Well, her ewe were.
The last home game of the season.. this God awful season...
That makes it Fan Appreciation Day. Whoopee. I'm not feeling so appreciated.
So.. unlike the past few days... the clouds parted before the game.. replaced by cloudless blue sky.
5 homreuns, 2 by Paul Konerko, includes a Grand Slam by Juan Uribe... and still with a cushion like that, the relievers almost gave up the game.
But.. it's over. No postseason. And... talking to our friends and fans around us, there is almost a sense of physical hurt, Maybe it's withdrawal pains... we had a taste of postseason... and it tasted so good, we wanted more.. and it was snatched away from us by poor play.
My season is over... that time in my lfe each year that excites me and somewhow makes me whole. I have to wait for Aoril 2, 2007 now.
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posted at 04:15 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, September 23, 2006
White Sox 11 - Mariners 7 
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Thought we dodged the bullet with the rain yesterday...
The damn team was losing 7-2.. it started pouring in the top of the 6th (figures.. the game was official at that point). The sky opened-up... but the umpires took their damn time before they ground crew came out. The rain came down SO hard, that it started to puddle to the left of 1st base. It was bad. Then the crew pulled the tarp onto the field crooked, exposing the top of the diamond between 1st & 2nd. The tarp filled with rain and became too heavy to move. The actual rain part of the delay was under an hour.
It took 45 minutes alone, after the tarp was pulled, to fix the infield dirt, the mound, and around the plate.. the used something like a heavy roller pulled by a John Deer to "squeegee" the puddles in the dirt. Every time they threw an entire bag of the drying compound, it just soaked up the water and was wet again.
It was terrible. it was dangerous.
But... Carol and I had a prior commitment (dinner at B&B for their 25th anniversary), so we actually (gasp!) left the game just as the Sox were taking the field...
So we didn't see the team actually come back from a 7-2 deficit to WIN THE GAME 11-7.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 05:13 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, September 10, 2006
White Sox 2 - Indians 5posted at 04:13 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, September 09, 2006
White Sox 10 - Indians 8posted at 11:08 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, August 27, 2006
White Sox 6 - Twins 1posted at 04:30 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, August 26, 2006
White Sox 7 - Twins 8 - 11 Innings
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It's been a while since we had one of these - a rain delay. Before the game started, the skies opened and it rained these huge friggin' drops. It completely soaked anybody not protected in just seconds. It wasn't a lot of rain, just huge friggin' drops. I... ummm... actually enjoyed it. I had brought my rain slicker with me to the park, anticipating this happening. Sure enough, it did. And I thought it was cool.
OK, I have named my Official Whipping Boy of the team. I knew when I saw the lineup that this would b a problem. Sure enough it was. culprit (in my estimation?) Rob Mackowiak. He defense is a detriment to the team. He continues to mis-play balls, not being able to judge a ball coming off the bat, which has him breaking late for a ball, having most of them sailing over his head or falling in front of him.
Sorry. Get rid of him. He better not be with the club next year.
Jermaine Dye had a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game, but we lost the game in the 11th by one run. one stinking run.
We should have had this game. If it weren't for Mackowiak's playing, we may have been able to stop them from getting a foothold in the first place.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:48 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
How dare youSo, after a WONDERFUL weekend of sweeping the Detroit Tigers, and LOSING to the Kansas City Royals (UPDATE: We lost EVEN WORSE tonight!). what come in the mail today?
THE INVOICE FOR POSTSEASON TICKETS.
Damn you!
Have our seat assignments.. still downstairs but out toward the right field foul pole. Included - parking for all ticketed events, seats to all 3 (possible) American League Division Series, Home Game 2 of the American League Championship Series and Home Game 2 of the World Series.
Excited? Well... yes... if the team would just PLAY a little better..
posted at 05:13 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, August 13, 2006
White Sox 7 - Tigers 3 
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The weather is almost as good as yesterday, but not quite...
There wasn't as many Detroit fans Friday night as Elvis fans.. in fact, I think the Elvis fans may have locked-out the Detroit fans from getting tickets. MANY Detroit yesterday, very vocal... today, not as many, but still there. There had to be more fights in the stands than during the Cubs series.
I don't like seeing people tempt fate by bringing brooms to the park on the last day of a series. The guy next to Carol had a tiny wheat broom in the adjustable band in the back of his basebal hat, and that seemed acceptable.
Freddie Garcia had a good outing with 6 strikouts, but giving up all three runs. And this time Detroit had onl 1 error.
SWEEP SWEEP SWEEP
NEVER thought we'd do that... that's a 3-game swing, chipping away at Detroit's lead...
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 05:59 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, August 12, 2006
White Sox 4 - Tigers 3 
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What a great day for a game... THIS was the day... high 70's... blue sky... clean air... nice breeze, oh baby... Best Weather.
Mark Buehrle. 7 strikeouts, no walks, but 3 runs and no decision. Bleh. But, Detroit has 3 errors (2 errors last night as well..) and we struggle and play small ball and get back on top and win by one.
Oh, man... two in a row... against Detroit.. can't get too cocky... it's giong to be hell ltomorrow...
(Boxscore)
« hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 04:57 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Friday, August 11, 2006
White Sox 5 - Tigers 0 
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Central |
DET |
76 |
38 |
.667 |
--- |
SOX |
67 |
46 |
.593 |
8½ |
MIN |
67 |
47 |
.588 |
9 |
CLE |
49 |
64 |
.434 |
26½ |
KAN |
41 |
73 |
.360 |
35 |
That's the standings as of this morning. Doesn't look anything like last year. And we're playing Detroit at home for three games.
Oh, and baby - It's Elvis Night.
Yes, it's time for the annual pilgrimage. We're not even Elvis fans... we just love this night at the park. On the way in, we met my cousin Jane, her husband Richard, her Dad, my Uncle Jim, and her neice (and our goddaughter) Sam, as the stood in line waiting to get in when the gates opened. We stayed outside for a while to see some of the acts in preshow concerts on stages outside the park. In the past few years, we had as the headliner, a great guy called Shawn Klush. This year, we have a young newcomer named Jamie Aaron Kelley. He would be classified as a really young Elvis. He had the stage outside before the game, the National Anthem, and the post game concert inside the park. (His claim to fame is he is the very first person in history to memorize every song that Elvis EVER recorded in his career and then sing them all in public to prove it (and there's a LOT of songs)). I have to admit... bring back Shawn... met-up with my friend and former cowerker Peggy, whose family is always at this event... (she had 18 people in her group this year... sitting behind the plate!)... man I miss her.. she's just great to talk to...
Now, let's get back to the game. This series is SOOOooo critical. And I had NO IDEA that Jose Contreras would pitch the game he did. First career complete game shutout. 101 pitches, 3 hits, 5 strikeouts. Detroit helps with 2 errors... Yes, let's start something...
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:52 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Not a winner0 – 7 – 2 – 8 – 3 – 1
0 – 1 – 5 – 6 – 2 – 3
0 – 2 – 0 – 8 – 6 – 7
Chicago White Sox Charities 2005 World Series Ring Raffle. 3 fans get a REAL World Series Ring... with their name on it.
Nuts. Didn't win.
posted at 07:14 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Grinder BashThe White Sox threw a party for season ticket holders today (actually, on Thursday and Friday, too). They used to do this almost every year. They suspended this or a few years, because the park had renovations being done, almost year long. Now, that the season ticket base has grown so dramatically, the team decided to throw another party.
I LOVE these things. There's something special about being in the park - when the team isn't there playing ball. I took my buddy Barry to share this unusual event.
read more of this entry »
We're in the middle of this god awful heat spell, so the first thing we did was get wristbands to be allowed out onto the field. HUH? Yes, we were allowed to walk out onto the field...
You know how special it is to walk out onto center field of a major league ballpark? Feel the unbelievable grass at your feet.. level... no holes... no weeds... look around and get an idea on how much room a centerfielder has to cover..
We strolled around the field... went into the Sox bullpen, both the dugout and mounds... then off to the Sox dugout... the phones were live.. if you opened-up the box and pulled the phone off-hook, the opposite phone (bullpen-Dugout) would ring automatically... we walked to the visitor's dugout... watched people playing catch in the outfield... we stopped to watch a woman throwing to.. her husband? no arc to her throws, good mechanics, zip on the ball.. she's played... we lapped the field... and we went inside to get something cold to drink in the patio area...we made a mistake by not getting any of the free food (chicken, ribs, dogs, burgers, potato salad, cole slaw)... we walked the tunnel underneath the stands and visited the Visitor's Clubhouse.. looked at the lockers, and ALL OF THE SNACKS AND DRINKS... we walked across the tunnel to the Conference Center, the big conference room still setup for a Post-Game Press Conference... and then we checked out the Scout Seats food and beverage café (REALLY nice)... then we went out of the tunnel, walked up a ramp, onto the main concourse of the park, where we waited.. and waited.. and waited in the heat (no breeze, but no sun either) to look at and get our pictures taken with the World Series Trophy.
That was long and draining for me.. let alone barry, who is still not up to 100% healthy. We walked the outfield concourse.. and got to Fundamentals, which was open. Barry didn't feel comfortable climbing all of those stars, so I went up alone, and saw the batting cages, pitching cages, training field, and the Scott Podsedik Run.
I came back down, we walked into the Patio area for lunch and.. NO FOOD. They had shutdown for the day... we were able to get a cold drink..
It really felt special to be there again. I miss the park. I know I'm there each weekend, but this is sooo much more special.
It makes you feel special.
So.. we left the park.. hungry.. with nothing to do.. so.. we went to Horseshoe to gamble for a couple of hours! « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 07:03 PM | Link | Mundane | § |
Sunday, July 23, 2006
White Sox 5 - Rangers 0 
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Yes, today s a gorgeous day for baseball, finally coming out of the oppressive heat we've had...
And the day starts before the game started, as the White Sox unveiled two new status out on the centerfield concourse, around the Fan Deck in a pre-game ceremony.
The statues were of Luis Aparicio and Nellie Fox, posed as if working together on a double play (Fox flipping a baseball to Aparicio, who was depicted with his glove outstretched, waiting to catch the baseball.).
The statues were unveiled simultaneously, by Aparicio and Joanne Fox, Nellie's widow. I actually broke down sobbing behind my sunglases as I watched Joanne pull the black cloth from off her husbands statue.. because the first thing she did upon seeing it.. was reach out and carress his cheek with her open hand... so sweet. That's five statues out there - following Charles Comiskey, Minnie Minoso and Carlton Fisk.
Aparicio threw out the first pitch to Ozzie Guilen - 2 All-Star Venezuelan shortstops.
The Sox wore throwback uniforms representing the 1908 World Series champions, which, if i remember correctly, didn't go over very well last time.
The game was SOOOooo much better than the last few, ending our 4-game losing streak. Jon Garland is finally coming around.
Unfortunately, after Alex Cintron was drilled by the pitcher Vicente Padilla in the bottom of the third, we all knew that Garland would be instructed to go after somebody (n his last outing against the Sox, Padilla hit A.J. Pierzynski twice in a way that Ozzie thought was intentional). Sure enough, i nthe top of the 4th, threw behind Ian Kinsler. Throwing behind is not the same as drilling someone, so Ozzie came out and was yelling at Garland on the mound. After the inning, Ozzie layed into garland in the dougout, throwing water bottles. (We couldn't see that from our seats, but it looked bad on TV).
Scot Podesdnik gets a homer, his 3rd of the season.. already surpassing last year's count of zero.
With the win, we are still 6½ games behind Detroit.. which sucks.
Afer the game, the Sox designated backup catcher Chris Widger for assignment... wonder what's up?
Update: The Sox get Sandy Alomar Jr. from the Dodgers for his third stint with the team.
(Boxscore)
« hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 04:25 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, July 22, 2006
White Sox 3 - Rangers 1 
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Weird day at the park. Weird.
And I'm sure it had nothing to do with Better Than Ezra performing an acoustic set before the game (including "Juicy").
Or that tonight was the first Saturday Fireworks Night since May 6 (Fox kept rescheduling our games for their benefit.. such is the life of a fan of a World Series champion).
Weird vibe. Weird people in the park. Lot's of kids. Lot's of people that don't seem to be belong there... like they weren't fans, they were there to party... certainly not to watch the ballgame... (this must be what a Cubs game is like)
Only highlight? Paul Konerko's solo homerun in the 6th.
We lose our 4th game in a row... while Detroit loses! We could have made up ground!
Oh... and to top it off? It rained during the game. OK, not hard, but it sure was annoying.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:32 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
What to go A.L.!Another Amercan League All-Str winner! Thanks, Ozzie! What a way to win - in the top of the 9th!
(Boxscore)
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Top 1ST B:3 S:3 O:1
Ichiro Suzuki strikes out swinging.
Top 1ST B:3 S:3 O:2
Derek Jeter strikes out swinging.
Top 1ST B:2 S:3 O:3
David Ortiz called out on strikes.
--------------------------- END 1ST
Top 2ND B:1 S:2 O:1
Alex Rodriguez grounds out, shortstop Edgar Renteria to first baseman Albert Pujols.
Top 2ND B:1 S:1 O:1
Vladimir Guerrero homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.
Top 2ND B:1 S:0 O:2
Ivan Rodriguez lines out sharply to second baseman Chase Utley.
Top 2ND B:1 S:1 O:3
Vernon Wells flies out to center fielder Carlos Beltran.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 2ND
Bottom 2ND B:3 S:2 O:1
Edgar Renteria grounds out, pitcher Kenny Rogers to first baseman David Ortiz.
Bottom 2ND B:0 S:0 O:1
David Wright homers (1) on a line drive to left field.
Bottom 2ND B:2 S:2 O:1
Chase Utley singles on a soft ground ball to shortstop Derek Jeter.
Bottom 2ND B:1 S:1 O:3
Paul Lo Duca grounds into double play, pitcher Kenny Rogers to shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman David Ortiz. Chase Utley out at 2nd.
--------------------------- END 2ND
Top 3RD B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Roy Oswalt replaces Brad Penny, batting 9th.
Top 3RD B:0 S:1 O:1
Mark Loretta grounds out to first baseman Albert Pujols.
Top 3RD B:0 S:0 O:1
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Magglio Ordonez replaces Kenny Rogers.
Top 3RD B:3 S:3 O:2
Magglio Ordonez strikes out swinging.
Top 3RD B:3 S:1 O:3
Ichiro Suzuki lines out sharply to right fielder Jason Bay.
--------------------------- END 3RD
Top 4TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Brandon Webb replaces Roy Oswalt, batting 1st.
Top 4TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive switch from right field to left field for Jason Bay.
Top 4TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Matt Holliday remains in the game as the right fielder.
Top 4TH B:2 S:3 O:1
Derek Jeter strikes out swinging.
Top 4TH B:2 S:2 O:2
David Ortiz pops out to third baseman David Wright in foul territory.
Top 4TH B:2 S:0 O:3
Alex Rodriguez grounds out, shortstop Edgar Renteria to first baseman Albert Pujols.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 4TH
Bottom 4TH B:1 S:2 O:0
Jason Bay singles on a line drive to center fielder Vernon Wells.
Bottom 4TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Edgar Renteria grounds into double play, second baseman Mark Loretta to shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman David Ortiz. Jason Bay out at 2nd.
Bottom 4TH B:3 S:1 O:3
David Wright grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman David Ortiz.
--------------------------- END 4TH
Top 5TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Freddy Sanchez replaces shortstop Edgar Renteria, batting 1st.
Top 5TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Bronson Arroyo replaces Brandon Webb, batting 5th.
Top 5TH B:1 S:0 O:1
Vladimir Guerrero pops out to shortstop Freddy Sanchez in foul territory.
Top 5TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Ivan Rodriguez flies out to center fielder Carlos Beltran.
Top 5TH B:0 S:2 O:2
Vernon Wells singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jason Bay.
Top 5TH B:1 S:1 O:3
Mark Loretta lines out to shortstop Freddy Sanchez.
--------------------------- END 5TH
Top 6TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive switch from shortstop to 2nd for Freddy Sanchez.
Top 6TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Brian Fuentes replaces Bronson Arroyo, batting 5th.
Top 6TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Brian McCann replaces catcher Paul Lo Duca, batting 7th.
Top 6TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: David Eckstein replaces shortstop Freddy Sanchez, batting 8th.
Top 6TH B:0 S:3 O:1
Grady Sizemore strikes out swinging.
Top 6TH B:1 S:2 O:2
Ichiro Suzuki grounds out, shortstop David Eckstein to first baseman Albert Pujols.
Top 6TH B:0 S:1 O:3
Derek Jeter grounds out, third baseman David Wright to first baseman Albert Pujols.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 6TH
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Jermaine Dye replaces right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, batting 1st.
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Miguel Tejada replaces shortstop Derek Jeter, batting 2nd.
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Paul Konerko replaces first baseman David Ortiz, batting 3rd.
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Troy Glaus replaces third baseman Alex Rodriguez, batting 4th.
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Scott Kazmir replaces Barry Zito, batting 8th.
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Freddy Sanchez grounds out, shortstop Miguel Tejada to first baseman Paul Konerko.
Bottom 6TH B:3 S:2 O:2
Carlos Beltran flies out to left fielder Gary Matthews.
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:1 O:3
Albert Pujols flies out to center fielder Grady Sizemore.
--------------------------- END 6TH
--------------------------- END 7TH
Top 8TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Carlos Lee replaces left fielder Jason Bay, batting 4th.
Top 8TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Miguel Cabrera replaces third baseman David Wright, batting 5th.
Top 8TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Tom Gordon replaces Derrick Turnbow, batting 6th.
Top 8TH B:2 S:3 O:1
Joe Mauer strikes out swinging.
Top 8TH B:2 S:1 O:1
Gary Matthews singles on a ground ball to left fielder Carlos Lee.
Top 8TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jim Thome replaces Johan Santana.
Top 8TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Jim Thome grounds out, second baseman Freddy Sanchez to first baseman Ryan Howard. Gary Matthews to 2nd.
Top 8TH B:1 S:0 O:3
Grady Sizemore grounds out, second baseman Freddy Sanchez to first baseman Ryan Howard.
--------------------------- END 8TH
Top 9TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Trevor Hoffman replaces Tom Gordon, batting 6th.
Top 9TH B:0 S:1 O:1
Jermaine Dye grounds out softly, pitcher Trevor Hoffman to first baseman Ryan Howard.
Top 9TH B:0 S:2 O:2
Miguel Tejada grounds out softly, pitcher Trevor Hoffman to first baseman Ryan Howard.
Top 9TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Paul Konerko singles on a ground ball to left fielder Carlos Lee.
Top 9TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Jose Lopez replaces Paul Konerko.
Top 9TH B:0 S:1 O:2
Troy Glaus hits a ground-rule double (1) on a line drive to left field. Jose Lopez to 3rd.
Top 9TH B:0 S:2 O:2
Michael Young triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Carlos Beltran. Jose Lopez scores. Troy Glaus scores.
Top 9TH B:0 S:1 O:3
Joe Mauer grounds out sharply, pitcher Trevor Hoffman to first baseman Ryan Howard.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 9TH
Bottom 9TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Jose Lopez remains in the game as the third baseman.
Bottom 9TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive switch from 3rd to 1st for Troy Glaus.
Bottom 9TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Mariano Rivera replaces B. J. Ryan, batting 8th.
Bottom 9TH B:1 S:2 O:1
Freddy Sanchez grounds out, third baseman Jose Lopez to first baseman Troy Glaus.
Bottom 9TH B:2 S:2 O:1
Carlos Beltran reaches on fielding error by third baseman Jose Lopez.
Bottom 9TH B:1 S:1 O:2
Ryan Howard grounds out, second baseman Michael Young to first baseman Troy Glaus. Carlos Beltran to 2nd.
Bottom 9TH B:1 S:2 O:3
Carlos Lee pops out to second baseman Michael Young. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:38 PM | Link | Baseball | § |
Sunday, July 09, 2006
White Sox 6 - Red Sox 5 - 19 INNINGS
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A RECORD for U.S. Cellular Field: LONGEST GAME EVER.
SIX HOURS AND NINETEEN MINUTES. 19 innings. (Also, the longest game the White Sox have played in since 1991 and the longest timed game in the Major Leagues since August 2001)
It started out with the hope of a grand pitcher's duel: Jose Contreras vs Curt Schilling. Both only lasted 6 innings of the marathon leaving with Boston up 3-2.
Jermaine Dye hit a homer with 2-out in the bottom of the 9th, letting the strangeness begin.
We expected the game to be over in 1 or 2 innings. We had no idea what an extended game is really like.
Think about this: the concession stands stop preparing food after the 9th inning. You can get anything that didn't involve cooking: bag of potato chips, bag of peanuts, candy. That's it. It's also the last game before the All-Star break. Since, you don't know how long the game will take, you don't need cooked hot dogs or pizza that will go to waste because you'll have to throw it out after an inning of play. The other place that had food was the nacho stands - you don't cook nachos, you just pour them out of bags.
Beer sales stopped after the 7th. But, non-alcohol drinks were purchasable.
The game goes on...
In the 11th, each team scores 2 runs, and the madness continues... The trading of runs pushes some of the people of the edge. We realized that everybody that was going to leave the game, had left. Everyone that's left are the FANS, and they're staying for the duration.. whatever it is..
Gene Honda invites us to stand for The 14th Inning Stretch, and everybody is laughing their asses off...
Things turn worse... a sign hangs outside a suite on the 3rd base side: "PLEASE SEND FOOD"
In the 16th, we hear from somebody that bought nachos that the stands have run out of bottled water...
We start thinking about The 21st Inning Stretch...
Boston has brought in its 8th pitcher. Our 8th is still in the bullpen, and he's PISSED, because he knows that he's still out there because everyone thinks he'll lose the game. He's trowing his glove around the little dugout area in the bullpen. It's Cliff Politte.
It's the top of the 19th. Brandon McCarthy has pitched 4 innings and he has to go. So... you bring in... Politte. You can hear the audible groans of the crowd. many begin to pack-up...
Cliff gets a strikeout, line-out and fly-out - three up, three down.
Bottom of the 19th:
Joe Crede fouls out on a popup. Alex Cintron singles on a line drive to center. Rob Mackowiak singles on a soft ground ball to third. Scott Podsednik singles on a soft line drive to left...
Tadahito Iguchi singles on a ground ball to left scoring Alex Cintron...
And the madness is over.. after 540 pitches....
(Boxscore)
Top 1ST B:4 S:2 O:0
Kevin Youkilis walks.
Top 1ST B:1 S:2 O:0
With Mark Loretta batting, wild pitch by Jose Contreras, Kevin Youkilis to 2nd.
Top 1ST B:1 S:3 O:1
Mark Loretta strikes out swinging.
Top 1ST B:1 S:2 O:1
David Ortiz singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Scott Podsednik. Kevin Youkilis scores.
Top 1ST B:0 S:2 O:2
Manny Ramirez grounds into a force out, shortstop Juan Uribe to second baseman Tadahito Iguchi. David Ortiz out at 2nd. Manny Ramirez to 1st.
Top 1ST B:0 S:0 O:3
Trot Nixon grounds out sharply, second baseman Tadahito Iguchi to first baseman Paul Konerko.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 1ST
Bottom 1ST B:0 S:1 O:1
Scott Podsednik pops out to shortstop Alex Gonzalez.
Bottom 1ST B:1 S:3 O:2
Tadahito Iguchi strikes out swinging.
Bottom 1ST B:1 S:0 O:3
Jim Thome pops out to third baseman Mike Lowell.
--------------------------- END 1ST
Top 2ND B:2 S:3 O:1
Jason Varitek strikes out swinging.
Top 2ND B:1 S:3 O:2
Mike Lowell strikes out swinging.
Top 2ND B:4 S:1 O:2
Coco Crisp walks.
Top 2ND B:0 S:1 O:2
With Alex Gonzalez batting, Coco Crisp steals (8) 2nd base.
Top 2ND B:2 S:1 O:3
Alex Gonzalez pops out to first baseman Paul Konerko.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 2ND
Bottom 2ND B:2 S:2 O:1
Paul Konerko grounds out, third baseman Mike Lowell to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 2ND B:0 S:0 O:2
Jermaine Dye flies out to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 2ND B:1 S:0 O:2
A. J. Pierzynski singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 2ND B:2 S:3 O:3
Joe Crede strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- END 2ND
Top 3RD B:1 S:3 O:1
Kevin Youkilis strikes out swinging.
Top 3RD B:3 S:2 O:2
Mark Loretta flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.
Top 3RD B:4 S:2 O:2
David Ortiz walks.
Top 3RD B:1 S:0 O:3
Manny Ramirez grounds into a force out, third baseman Joe Crede to second baseman Tadahito Iguchi. David Ortiz out at 2nd.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 3RD
Bottom 3RD B:3 S:2 O:1
Juan Uribe grounds out, pitcher Curt Schilling to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 3RD B:1 S:2 O:1
Brian Anderson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Manny Ramirez.
Bottom 3RD B:3 S:3 O:3
Scott Podsednik strikes out swinging and Brian Anderson caught stealing 2nd, catcher Jason Varitek to shortstop Alex Gonzalez.
--------------------------- END 3RD
Top 4TH B:0 S:3 O:1
Trot Nixon strikes out swinging.
Top 4TH B:1 S:2 O:2
Jason Varitek lines out to pitcher Jose Contreras.
Top 4TH B:0 S:1 O:2
Mike Lowell homers (11) on a fly ball to left center field.
Top 4TH B:4 S:1 O:2
Coco Crisp walks.
Top 4TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Alex Gonzalez singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Scott Podsednik. Coco Crisp to 2nd.
Top 4TH B:1 S:0 O:2
With Kevin Youkilis batting, wild pitch by Jose Contreras, Coco Crisp to 3rd. Alex Gonzalez to 2nd.
Top 4TH B:4 S:1 O:2
Kevin Youkilis walks.
Top 4TH B:0 S:2 O:2
Mark Loretta hit by pitch. Coco Crisp scores. Alex Gonzalez to 3rd. Kevin Youkilis to 2nd.
Top 4TH B:3 S:0 O:3
David Ortiz flies out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 4TH
Bottom 4TH B:3 S:1 O:0
Tadahito Iguchi homers (10) on a fly ball to center field.
Bottom 4TH B:1 S:3 O:1
Jim Thome strikes out swinging.
Bottom 4TH B:1 S:1 O:2
Paul Konerko flies out to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 4TH B:1 S:2 O:3
Jermaine Dye grounds out, third baseman Mike Lowell to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
--------------------------- END 4TH
Top 5TH B:3 S:2 O:1
Manny Ramirez flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.
Top 5TH B:2 S:0 O:2
Trot Nixon lines out sharply to second baseman Tadahito Iguchi.
Top 5TH B:0 S:0 O:3
Jason Varitek flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 5TH
Bottom 5TH B:0 S:3 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski strikes out swinging, catcher Jason Varitek to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 5TH B:1 S:2 O:2
Joe Crede flies out to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 5TH B:1 S:1 O:3
Juan Uribe grounds out softly, second baseman Mark Loretta to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
--------------------------- END 5TH
Top 6TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Mike Lowell singles on a soft pop up to catcher A. J. Pierzynski.
Top 6TH B:1 S:3 O:1
Coco Crisp called out on strikes.
Top 6TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Alex Gonzalez flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.
Top 6TH B:1 S:0 O:3
Kevin Youkilis flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 6TH
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:1 O:0
Brian Anderson doubles (9) on a line drive to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Scott Podsednik bunt pops out to first baseman Kevin Youkilis in foul territory.
Bottom 6TH B:4 S:1 O:1
Tadahito Iguchi walks.
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Jim Thome singles on a line drive to center fielder Coco Crisp. Brian Anderson scores. Tadahito Iguchi to 3rd.
Bottom 6TH B:1 S:1 O:2
Paul Konerko flies out to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 6TH B:2 S:3 O:3
Jermaine Dye strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- END 6TH
Top 7TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Neal Cotts replaces Jose Contreras.
Top 7TH B:0 S:1 O:1
Mark Loretta grounds out, third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Paul Konerko.
Top 7TH B:2 S:3 O:2
David Ortiz strikes out swinging.
Top 7TH B:2 S:2 O:2
Manny Ramirez doubles (16) on a sharp line drive to center fielder Brian Anderson.
Top 7TH B:3 S:3 O:3
Trot Nixon called out on strikes.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 7TH
Bottom 7TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Manny Delcarmen replaces Curt Schilling.
Bottom 7TH B:1 S:0 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski lines out to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 7TH B:0 S:1 O:2
Joe Crede grounds out, third baseman Mike Lowell to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 7TH B:2 S:3 O:3
Juan Uribe strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- END 7TH
Top 8TH B:1 S:3 O:1
Jason Varitek strikes out swinging.
Top 8TH B:2 S:1 O:2
Mike Lowell grounds out, third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Paul Konerko.
Top 8TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Coco Crisp doubles (7) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Scott Podsednik.
Top 8TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Pitcher Change: David Riske replaces Neal Cotts.
Top 8TH B:1 S:1 O:3
Alex Gonzalez lines out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 8TH
Bottom 8TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Brian Anderson lines out to second baseman Mark Loretta.
Bottom 8TH B:0 S:3 O:2
Scott Podsednik strikes out swinging.
Bottom 8TH B:3 S:2 O:3
Tadahito Iguchi grounds out softly, shortstop Alex Gonzalez to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
--------------------------- END 8TH
Top 9TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Bobby Jenks replaces David Riske.
Top 9TH B:4 S:0 O:0
Kevin Youkilis walks.
Top 9TH B:0 S:2 O:1
Mark Loretta flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.
Top 9TH B:0 S:0 O:3
David Ortiz grounds into double play, third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Paul Konerko. Kevin Youkilis out at 2nd.
--------------------------- END 9TH
Top 10TH B:0 S:3 O:1
Manny Ramirez called out on strikes.
Top 10TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Trot Nixon grounds out, second baseman Tadahito Iguchi to first baseman Paul Konerko.
Top 10TH B:0 S:1 O:3
Jason Varitek grounds out, second baseman Tadahito Iguchi to first baseman Paul Konerko.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 10TH
Bottom 10TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Alex Cintron replaces Juan Uribe.
Bottom 10TH B:1 S:1 O:1
Alex Cintron grounds out sharply, second baseman Mark Loretta to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 10TH B:1 S:3 O:2
Brian Anderson called out on strikes.
Bottom 10TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Scott Podsednik singles on a fly ball to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 10TH B:1 S:1 O:3
Tadahito Iguchi grounds out, third baseman Mike Lowell to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
--------------------------- END 10TH
Top 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Alex Cintron remains in the game as the shortstop.
Top 11TH B:1 S:0 O:0
Mike Lowell singles on a line drive to center fielder Brian Anderson.
Top 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Willie Harris replaces Mike Lowell.
Top 11TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Coco Crisp out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Paul Konerko to second baseman Tadahito Iguchi. Willie Harris to 2nd.
Top 11TH B:0 S:3 O:2
Alex Gonzalez strikes out swinging. Willie Harris steals (6) 3rd base.
Top 11TH B:4 S:2 O:2
Kevin Youkilis walks.
Top 11TH B:1 S:1 O:2
With Mark Loretta batting, Kevin Youkilis steals (5) 2nd base.
Top 11TH B:1 S:1 O:2
Mark Loretta singles on a line drive to left fielder Scott Podsednik. Willie Harris scores. Kevin Youkilis scores. Mark Loretta to 2nd on the throw.
Top 11TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Pitcher Change: Javier Vazquez replaces Bobby Jenks.
Top 11TH B:4 S:0 O:2
Javier Vazquez intentionally walks David Ortiz.
Top 11TH B:3 S:3 O:3
Manny Ramirez called out on strikes.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 11TH
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Alex Cora replaces third baseman Mike Lowell, batting 7th.
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Javier Lopez replaces Jonathan Papelbon.
Bottom 11TH B:2 S:1 O:0
Jim Thome doubles (12) on a fly ball to left fielder Manny Ramirez.
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Mike Timlin replaces Javier Lopez.
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Paul Konerko singles on a line drive to left fielder Manny Ramirez. Jim Thome to 3rd.
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Ross Gload replaces Paul Konerko.
Bottom 11TH B:1 S:2 O:0
Jermaine Dye doubles (15) on a fly ball to right fielder Trot Nixon. Jim Thome scores. Ross Gload to 3rd.
Bottom 11TH B:4 S:0 O:0
Mike Timlin intentionally walks A. J. Pierzynski.
Bottom 11TH B:1 S:2 O:1
Joe Crede lines out to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:1 O:2
Alex Cintron grounds into a force out, second baseman Mark Loretta to shortstop Alex Gonzalez. Ross Gload scores. Jermaine Dye to 3rd. A. Pierzynski out at 2nd. Alex Cintron to 1st.
Bottom 11TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Rob Mackowiak replaces Brian Anderson.
Bottom 11TH B:1 S:1 O:2
With Rob Mackowiak batting, Alex Cintron advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.
Bottom 11TH B:1 S:3 O:3
Rob Mackowiak strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- END 11TH
Top 12TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Ross Gload remains in the game as the first baseman.
Top 12TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Rob Mackowiak remains in the game as the center fielder.
Top 12TH B:1 S:0 O:1
Trot Nixon flies out softly to center fielder Rob Mackowiak.
Top 12TH B:4 S:2 O:1
Jason Varitek walks.
Top 12TH B:1 S:0 O:2
Alex Cora flies out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.
Top 12TH B:2 S:2 O:2
With Coco Crisp batting, wild pitch by Javier Vazquez, Jason Varitek to 2nd.
Top 12TH B:3 S:2 O:3
Coco Crisp flies out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 12TH
Bottom 12TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Craig Hansen replaces Mike Timlin.
Bottom 12TH B:1 S:1 O:0
Scott Podsednik singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Manny Ramirez.
Bottom 12TH B:2 S:3 O:1
Tadahito Iguchi strikes out on foul tip.
Bottom 12TH B:2 S:0 O:2
Jim Thome flies out to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 12TH B:1 S:1 O:2
With Ross Gload batting, Scott Podsednik steals (29) 2nd base.
Bottom 12TH B:3 S:3 O:3
Ross Gload strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- END 12TH
Top 13TH B:3 S:2 O:0
Alex Gonzalez doubles (13) on a fly ball to center fielder Rob Mackowiak.
Top 13TH B:0 S:3 O:1
Kevin Youkilis strikes out swinging.
Top 13TH B:1 S:0 O:1
Mark Loretta hit by pitch.
Top 13TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Pitcher Change: Matt Thornton replaces Javier Vazquez.
Top 13TH B:0 S:0 O:2
David Ortiz grounds out, second baseman Tadahito Iguchi to first baseman Ross Gload. Alex Gonzalez to 3rd. Mark Loretta to 2nd.
Top 13TH B:4 S:0 O:2
Matt Thornton intentionally walks Manny Ramirez.
Top 13TH B:0 S:3 O:3
Trot Nixon strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 13TH
Bottom 13TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Julian Tavarez replaces Craig Hansen.
Bottom 13TH B:2 S:3 O:1
Jermaine Dye strikes out swinging.
Bottom 13TH B:0 S:0 O:2
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out softly, pitcher Julian Tavarez to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 13TH B:3 S:1 O:3
Joe Crede grounds out, shortstop Alex Gonzalez to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
--------------------------- END 13TH
Top 14TH B:1 S:3 O:1
Jason Varitek strikes out swinging.
Top 14TH B:0 S:3 O:2
Alex Cora strikes out swinging.
Top 14TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Coco Crisp doubles (8) on a line drive to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
Top 14TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Pitcher Change: Brandon McCarthy replaces Matt Thornton.
Top 14TH B:1 S:3 O:3
Alex Gonzalez strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- END 14TH
Top 15TH B:2 S:1 O:1
Kevin Youkilis flies out to center fielder Rob Mackowiak.
Top 15TH B:0 S:2 O:2
Mark Loretta grounds out, pitcher Brandon McCarthy to first baseman Ross Gload.
Top 15TH B:1 S:1 O:3
David Ortiz lines out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 15TH
Bottom 15TH B:4 S:1 O:0
Tadahito Iguchi walks.
Bottom 15TH B:2 S:1 O:1
Jim Thome grounds into a force out, first baseman Kevin Youkilis to third baseman Alex Cora. Tadahito Iguchi out at 2nd. Jim Thome to 1st.
Bottom 15TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Pablo Ozuna replaces Jim Thome.
Bottom 15TH B:0 S:1 O:3
Ross Gload grounds into double play, second baseman Mark Loretta to shortstop Alex Gonzalez to first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Pablo Ozuna out at 2nd.
--------------------------- END 15TH
Top 16TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive switch from designated hitter to designated hitter for Pablo Ozuna.
Top 16TH B:1 S:0 O:1
Manny Ramirez flies out to center fielder Rob Mackowiak.
Top 16TH B:2 S:0 O:2
Trot Nixon grounds out, third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Ross Gload.
Top 16TH B:0 S:0 O:3
Jason Varitek grounds out, second baseman Tadahito Iguchi to first baseman Ross Gload.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 16TH
Bottom 16TH B:2 S:3 O:1
Jermaine Dye strikes out swinging.
Bottom 16TH B:1 S:0 O:2
A. J. Pierzynski flies out to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 16TH B:2 S:0 O:2
Joe Crede doubles (18) on a line drive to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 16TH B:1 S:0 O:3
Alex Cintron grounds out to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
--------------------------- END 16TH
Top 17TH B:1 S:2 O:1
Alex Cora pops out to shortstop Alex Cintron.
Top 17TH B:2 S:1 O:2
Coco Crisp pops out to shortstop Alex Cintron.
Top 17TH B:4 S:2 O:2
Alex Gonzalez walks.
Top 17TH B:2 S:2 O:3
Kevin Youkilis lines out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 17TH
Bottom 17TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Rudy Seanez replaces Julian Tavarez.
Bottom 17TH B:0 S:1 O:0
Rob Mackowiak singles on a ground ball to right fielder Trot Nixon.
Bottom 17TH B:4 S:0 O:0
Scott Podsednik walks. Rob Mackowiak to 2nd.
Bottom 17TH B:2 S:2 O:1
Tadahito Iguchi lines out to pitcher Rudy Seanez.
Bottom 17TH B:0 S:1 O:3
Pablo Ozuna grounds into double play, third baseman Alex Cora to first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Rob Mackowiak out at 3rd.
--------------------------- END 17TH
Top 18TH B:1 S:2 O:0
Mark Loretta singles on a ground ball to left fielder Scott Podsednik.
Top 18TH B:2 S:0 O:2
David Ortiz grounds into double play, pitcher Brandon McCarthy to third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Ross Gload. Mark Loretta out at 2nd.
Top 18TH B:3 S:2 O:3
Manny Ramirez lines out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 18TH
Bottom 18TH B:1 S:2 O:1
Ross Gload grounds out to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Bottom 18TH B:0 S:1 O:2
Jermaine Dye flies out to right fielder Trot Nixon in foul territory.
Bottom 18TH B:1 S:3 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski called out on strikes.
--------------------------- END 18TH
Top 19TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Cliff Politte replaces Brandon McCarthy.
Top 19TH B:2 S:3 O:1
Trot Nixon strikes out swinging.
Top 19TH B:1 S:2 O:2
Jason Varitek lines out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
Top 19TH B:0 S:0 O:3
Alex Cora flies out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 19TH
Bottom 19TH B:1 S:1 O:1
Joe Crede pops out to first baseman Kevin Youkilis in foul territory.
Bottom 19TH B:0 S:1 O:1
Alex Cintron singles on a line drive to center fielder Coco Crisp.
Bottom 19TH B:1 S:1 O:1
Rob Mackowiak singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Alex Cora. Alex Cintron to 2nd.
Bottom 19TH B:2 S:0 O:1
Scott Podsednik singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Manny Ramirez. Alex Cintron to 3rd. Rob Mackowiak to 2nd.
Bottom 19TH B:2 S:2 O:1
Tadahito Iguchi singles on a ground ball to left fielder Manny Ramirez. Alex Cintron scores. Rob Mackowiak to 3rd. Scott Podsednik to 2nd. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:34 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, July 08, 2006
White Sox 6 - Red Sox 9
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Can't talk much about the game - the sun and heat got to me. I was just too uncomfortable.. and I don't deal with it too well. Walking up the aisle to get to the main concourse, by the time I'm at the top, I'm getting tunnel vision, a little tingly... yeah, the heat is BAD. probably didn't hydrate very well.
We had two girls next to us that flew in from Boston for today's game. This series has been a big series for Boston fans to show up here and root for their team. LOTS of them.
Every single one of them are nice people, following their team...
Rather have 10 of these people in seats around me for this series than have ONE Cub fan for the Cubs series. Totally different type of fans. Bostonians are SOOooo much classier..
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posted at 04:32 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, June 25, 2006
White Sox 10 - Astros 9 - 13 Innings 
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Well, the weather is certainly NOT as nice as yesterday...
And, oh God, the game wasn't a good as yesterday (for 7 innings)...
And, oh God why, we had MORE idiots sitting near us. This time it's 4 long-hairs across the aisle from us. LOUD and DRUNK... I got beer spilled on me as the guy on the aisle let his buddies out to get more beers and threw his beer at one of them.
They weren't swearing like the guys yesterday - they're just loud and obnoxious, not paying attention to the game... like yesterday... the guy on the aisle, who has a stack of 6 empty beer cups in his hand stands up and proclaims "And I'm driving these guys home!". They ogle and heckle the women that walk and down the aisles, but not as bad as the guys were yesterday, who were falling out of their seats looking at the girl's asses as they walked up the aisle.
Great.
So, I wander over to Customer Service - only tonight they take the info but didn't act on it.
The game? We're losing 9-2 after the 7th. Javier Vazquez gave up all 9, all earned. Oh, and it started to rain. Drunk guys are heckling the people leaving. In the middle of the 8th... and after two days of crappy fans and now rain along with getting our asses handed to us by Houston... Carol and I just looked at each other and...we left.
As we walked to the car in Lot A, we heard the crowd.. who had been cranked-up since we left. We looked across the street and saw the fireworks being launched from the scaffolding in the player's lot. Iguchi had hit a 3 run homer... and we ran to the car to put the radio on... We listened to the game all the way home... Iguchi hits a grand slam and all of a sudden, the score is tied. TIED. We came back from a 7-run deficit and in two innings TIE the game.
We got home in no time... and watched the rest of the game in HD from ESPN... and it took 13 innings for McCarthy to give up a triple and a single... and we didn't come back.
What a series! Unbelievable playing going on!
(Boxscore)
« hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:58 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, June 24, 2006
White Sox 6 - Astros 5 - 10 Innings 
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What a GORGEOUS DAY today. Yes THIS is the best weather we've had for a game this year.
And what a game it was...
First off - this Interleague game was being billed as a rematch for the World Series. We had beaten Houston 4-0 in the series becoming World Champions and here we are again.
Jon Garland had another bad outing and we were losing 5-1 in the 7th. Then in the bottom of the 7th:
Alex Cintron strikes out swinging. Jim Thome walks. Paul Konerko singles on a line drive to left field (Jim Thome to 2nd). Jermaine Dye singles on a soft fly ball to right field (Jim Thome to 3rd, Paul Konerko to 2nd).
And here's where a strange coincidence happens: Chad Qualls comes in replacing starter Taylor Buchholz.
Chad Qualls.
Flashback to last October...
World series game 2... Astros are winning 4-2... Bottom of the 7th... bases loaded... Chad Qualls is brought in to relieve Dan Wheeler...
One pitch is thrown to Paul Konerko - Grand Slam.
Flash forward to today:
One pitch is thrown to Joe Crede - Grand Slam.
We win the game in the bottom of the 10th and it's the best comeback finish I've seen in a while.
Unfortunately for Carol and I, it was one of the worst games we have attended, because of two ass***** the were sitting in front of us, drinking beer they smuggled in (in cans), drinking tequila (was wondering why they were SO anxious to see the margarita vendor) heckled/whistled/drooled over every single young female walking up or down the aisle, "prank calling" vendors (yell for the vendor when their back is turned and pretend they didn't call), swearing, (with a row of kids behind me where the oldest looked 6)... I couldn't take it anymore and went to Customer Service and had security called. They issued a warning to them, took away empty beer cans. All I heard was bitching between the two of them when I got back to my seat, with the asswipes talking loud enough in conversation to make sure I heard, branding me as a "Narc" instead of talking to their face, etc. they get up and leave... only to have the audacity to come back a few innings later and start-up again with the talking. Louder than before. And now, they start talking about fat chicks referring to Carol - even to the point of calling "Soooooey" and that was it... I leaned into them and got in their face. They tried to have a comeback, but just got up and left, never to return.
The security detail was great - I had talked to them at the top of the stairs while they were still dealing with the guys after I had them called (security was already there by the time I got back to my section after I went to customer service). Nice guys. Found out later from one of them that the had their identification and that a letter would go to the season ticketholder of those seats telling them not to sell tickets to to them for any future games.
It still got me pissed and angry. And, even though it was a great game, it was IMPOSSIBLE to get past the issues and enjoy the game.
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posted at 04:51 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Annual Yard SaleGet up early (for a Saturday) and hit the road for the South Side...
It's that time again... time for the White Sox Annual Yard Sale at the park (U.S. Cellular Field).
The line was long when we got there, but it was awfully spread out, with lots of people bringing chairs to sit in while they wait.
The best thing about the event is that all the proceeds go to White Sox Charities.
With that in mind, we went looking for clothing.. we had bought jackets here in the past (yes, authentic, player-worn jackets), and they didn't have ANY this year! They really brought out the odd stuff... banners used around the city for "Rally Monday", the rally downtown before the World Series, empty bottles of Champagne from each of the locker room celebrations during the playoffs ($60-$100), full sheet World Series Tickets (un-printed with seat info). I wanted some bunting that was displayed at the park (MLB authenticated), but that was $50 each and the bunting was small.
They had the regular selection of things - used hats, bats, helmets, an AWFUL lot of catcher's gear this year compared to last, lots of equipment bags, helmet bags... and of course what everybody goes after - jerseys. The real deal.
We weren't even close to being the first one's in line, and back in January, at Sox Fest, they always set up a "Garage Sale" room that people must have rifled through, because the jersey selection - though large - didn't have a lot of jerseys by the somewhat major players, let alone the major players. If you wanted a jersey of a pitcher that was barely in the majors for a few weeks, there were a ton of them (including ones for the World Series complete with World Series patch on the sleeve). There were prior years players that they haven't got rid of yet. Lot's of BP windshirts and "tops" (wouldn't call them jerseys).
The surprising pieces to me were at the extreme left of the left rack in the row of racks.
Here were the jerseys of Major players now gone. Jerseys you would have NEVER seen in any rack in any year. These were put aside as special and if you were lucky, you could ask to get one. The one that caught my eye? FRANK THOMAS. NEVER would have been in the rack. Now that he's gone, he's there. Now granted, it was REALLY expensive (I think $1,000), but it was still in the rack. I knew that I had hit the right part in the rack... they guys that are gone... tons of Carl Everett jerseys... Shingo Takatsu... guys who were good and made a difference. But the one guy I thought that made a difference and we hated to see him go, was the one I was after. I snatched it up and walked away from the racks quickly. The Jersey? Aaron Rowand.
That's all we bought this year... nothing else caught our eye... the great thing is that THIS year at checkout, you got a form to fill out stating that the items you bought were to benefit a charity, thus ding..ding..ding..ding..ding Tax Writeoff.
I just love going to the park for special events, like this one, when there isn't a game. It's just feels special. There was another event going on that you had to pay to participate - playing catch in the outfield. It's reall typical for Dads to bring their youngsters, with their mitt and balls, and you're allowed onto the field for an hour to play catch. the day before Father's Day. How cool is that?
posted at 01:16 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, June 11, 2006
White Sox 8 - Indians 10 
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Weather: sucked
People sitting around us: sucked
Freddie Garcia: sucked
Yes, we sucked on National Television (the game was moved to 7pm to be ESPN's Sunday Night game).
Freddie Garcia was terrible. 5 2/3 innings, 9 hits, 8 earned runs, 4 walks, 3 homeruns.
The groans and booing of the crowd was spectacular. UNTIL...
Bottom of the 9th. We're losing 10-2. The park had emptied out, inning by inning, until a handful of people are left in our section. I said yesterday that I hadn't felt this excited at a game for a while. Forget it - this ninth inning was unbelievable, and yet I felt myself believing! In a nut shell - 6 runs in the 9th including a 3-run homer by Brian Anderson, but we didn't make it as Pablo Ozuna - the potential tying run - flies out.
Wow. Excitement. Drama. Desperation. The boys didn't give up. they just didn't make it.
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posted at 10:51 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, June 10, 2006
White Sox 4 - Indians 3 - 11 Innings 
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I feel that this year we hit the White Sox Weather Curse. This happened a few years ago - if the White Sox were in town for the weekend, the weather for said weekend is going to suck.
Welcome to the White Sox Weather Curse.
It rained for about 10 hours over night, and the skies were still dark, cold, and dreary by the time we hit the road for the early-start game (Fox game - 12:15pm start). The giveaway promotion was beach towels (Sponsored by Hawaiian Tropic and Walgreen's). The customer service people wore leis. They must have had some big plans for Beach Day. We went to the Stadium club to avoid the weather. But, by the time we got upstairs, you could see blue skies in the distance. We wound up taking our seats and watching the game downstairs (AFTER having lunch in the Stadium Club bar).
The team struggled through the game, down 1-0 since the first. They go up 2-0 in the 6th. We get on the board in the 6th, scoring on a double play. We tie the game in the 8th, and now we go into extra innings. Top of the 11th, Cleveland takes the lead on a homer by Victor Martinez. Well, you get this feeling that that's it - we're not coming back.
Wrong.
It's all solid hits, moving guys around, tyeing the game, and eventually, scoring the winning run.
I haven't felt this great at a game in a long time - cheering on the team, going nuts with each hit. It didn't matter that the weather sucked.
It's supposed to get better tomorrow.
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posted at 04:47 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, June 04, 2006
White Sox 2 - Rangers 10 
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Wow! This must be THE BEST day that we had for a baseball game this year! Gorgeous! Sunny - 70's, light breeze.... wonderful!!
The game sucked.
We're in such a crappy slump, and now watching these idiots out in the field... I don't even want to talk about the game...
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posted at 09:13 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, May 21, 2006
White Sox 4 - Cubs 7 
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Well... at least we took the series... The weather was crap... low 50's in the sun and a cold breeze, so when the shade moved over the section, it was hell...
We played poorly today, and I blame the defense. Jose Contreras came off the DL and pitched, but he gave up 4 runs (2 were inherited by Neal Cotts, who got tagged with a Blown Save and the Loss), and things just imploded. We had two errors and the key play should have been scored as the 3rd error but wasn't when Uribe threw to Konerko to end a double play in the 8th and threw too low, skipping past Paulie. We would have been out of the inning and on our way to a sweep. And all I wanted to see is for our boys to get into Carlos Zambrano's head and mess with him, and they sort of did, thanks to A.J. (again - talk about a lightning rod...)
The team wore 1906 "throw back" uniforms - the year of the White Sox - Cubs World Series. I think, if I remember correctly, "throw back" uniforms are bad luck for this team...
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posted at 04:24 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, May 20, 2006
White Sox 7 - Cubs 0 
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Goegeous day for baseball.
Gorgeous day for a fight, as well.
Bottom of the 2nd, no score, 1 out, bases loaded. Brian Anderson hits into a fly-out in Left Field. A.J. Piersinski, on third base, tags up and rnd home. Cubs catcher Michael Barret blocks the plate - without having the ball - and A.J. bowls him over. They both go flying. A.J. rolls over, slaps the plate and gets up. Now, here where it get's odd. Barret gets up. A.J. says he going after his helmet that's laying behind the plate and sort of turn his back to Barret as he passes. Barret bear-hugs him, says "I didn't have the ball, bitch, hauls off and punches A.J. in the chin.
Benches cleared. Bullpens cleared. Anderson after running to first, is now by the plate, taking out John Mabry, the Cubs' first baseman. Bodies everywhere. Barret, Anderson, Mabry and - for some reason A.J. - are all ejected.
Game back on - Rich Hill walks te bases loaded. Tadahito Iguchi - Grand Slam.
We now have 5 runs on 2 hits.
After all of these years, we finally have a fight between these two teams.
And - according to the analysts, it's all Barret's fault. We're waiting for fines/suspensions from the league.
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posted at 03:53 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, May 07, 2006
White Sox 3 - Royals 2 
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OK, I think we've figured out the parking situation for us newbie Red Coupon people. It seems like the preferable lot is Lot A which is where the Bus Parking is, which is the advantage. After the game, instead of going out the way you came in, you use the Bus Entrance/Exit in the "front" of the lot and you get dumped out onto one-way south Wentworth, before 35th Street - perfect for making a left onto 35th to go over the bridge and get right on the Dan Ryan.
The weather was about the same as last night - of course we were sitting in the direct sun until about 2:10. The temperature at game time was 64°, much better than last night. It was also the sixth sell-out of the season (38,870). We're still not getting used to all of these people around us. There used to be a time where we could "stretch out" a bit during a game. Now, it's shoulder to shoulder, every row filled. No room to stretch your legs, put your arm on the seat next to you. Ah, those were the days... The Price of Success....
Mark Buehrle threw way too many pitches. He threw 22 in the first, and was having trouble with location, with everything staying "up". (He wound up going through 6 innings, throwing 114 pitches (71 strikes) with 4 strikeouts, but 2 runs on 7 hits.
Joe Crede was involved in two odd plays: 1) In the forth, he hits a drive deep to left-center. The centerfielder (Kerry Robinson) totally misplays the ball and jumps at the wall. The second base umpire sees the ball go over the wall, and calls a home run (the fireworks guy, quick on the trigger, sets-off the scoreboard fireworks). I just happen to be on the center field deck, below the Fan Deck. The guy standing next to me says it's not a homerun. Sure enough, what had happened, is that the ball actually hit the warning track and bounced over the wall. Nobody saw the ball hit the track, everybody was watching Robinson hit the wall and the ball going over. After a long umpire discussion, they called Crede back out of the dugout to take his place on Second, because they changed their call to a Ground Rule Double (the correct call). 2) It's the bottom of the 8th, the game is tied 2-2. Jim Thome is on first (after a flyball to center was dropped in a diving attempt by Kerry Robinson). Paul Konerko is intentionally walked to get to Crede. Crede waited for his pitch and blooped a single to left, scoring Thome as the go-ahead run that was the game-winning run.
Our record now goes to 22-9, best record in all of baseball, first in the AL West and 2½ games in front of the Detroit Tigers (who have tailed us must of this young season).
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posted at 04:51 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, May 06, 2006
White Sox 9 - Royals 2 
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Another crappy weather night - it was 52º at gametime, windy, and it just went down from there. A bit uncomfortable.
What a game, though. Javier Vazquez had No-Hitter through 5. In his last start, he no-hit the Royals through 7.
Jim Thome had another homerun, his 13th. I love being at the game to watch the ball fly. You don't get a sense of the speed on TV. They get out in a hurry, hardly without an arc to its flight.
The 7-8-9 spots of the order need some individual hitting instruction: Ross Gload - .167 (OK, what he really needs is playing time - this is with 18 at bats), Juan Uribe - 161, Brian Anderson - .160 (even though Anderson was 2-for-4 with his 3rd homerun).
Another "sellout" - 38,593 (though I don't know what a sellout really is at the park anymore. I keep hearing the word "sellout" and the attendance would vary by 100-200. And of course, that's paid. I wish they would go back to the days of "turnstile".
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posted at 10:49 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, April 23, 2006
White Sox 7 - Twins 3
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OK, yeah, great game. We sweep the series from the Twins. Nancy Faust is back. The weather is great. Everything's right with the world.
Let's start at the top.
Carol and I are absolutely pissed-off at today's promotional item. It was listed as a Miniature stadium. What it was was a cardboard display stand from the Chicago Sun-Times. A poor cardboard replica of U.S. Cellular Field, that has spots to collect miniature baseballs that have pictures of the players on them. Collect? Why, yes - you have to purchase a Sun-Times and each day they have a coupon that you use to go to White Hen or some other store and pay $2.99 for the player/ball of the day. Since when does the team foist a "promotion" where you have to pay money - a lot by the time you get all the balls - to promote a newspaper? Normally, the promotion is a giveaway, and not something you have to pay for to enjoy. When I heard "Miniature Ballpark" I thought it was like a cheap version of the miniature sculpted ballparks that are collectibles. But cardboard? that is a poor replica and purchase stuff to put in it? This is crazy. Carol & I decide to "boycott" and not accept the promotional item at the gate.
Traffic was fine and we got there in good time.
The sun is out, and we're wearing our sunglasses. We go from sunlight into the darkness of the gate area. We go into Gate 5, and I'm first through the turnstile. I say "no thanks" when offered the "miniature ballpark" and the customer service rep thinks I'm nuts. I turnaround and see Carol go through the turnstile.
In the "dark" she turns and trips over two stacked boxes of cardboard promotions, and hits the concrete ground hard on her right knee.
Now - I hadn't mentioned this earlier, but when Carol was cleaning the "Second Bedroom" earlier this week, she tripped over some cables and - you guessed it - hit the floor hard with her right knee. It's hurt her all week. The bruises had just popped-up over the leg, from knee down to the side of her foot.
So, here she is on the ground behind the turnstiles of Gate 5 after injuring the same knee. She stayed there for a while. We finally heard that First Aid was called. She felt the need to get up and move and un-block the turnstile so people can get through. A customer service rep says there a bench right around the corner that she can sit at. What we find out is that it's a series of picnic tables more than 200 feet away. We hobble over there and Caro sits down. Another customer service rep comes over to admonish us "You know you weren't supposed to move, you were supposed to stay there". We let her know 1) don't yell at us, and 2) another rep told us to come out here to relax. A minute or so later a guy in white trots up from the Medical Staff, followed by a golf cart with two other guys. One guy asks me for her information, the other talks to Carol about the fall and her pain.
Carol decide to go to First Aid to get ice. She decides to go by herself (admittedly, there's no room in the golf cart for me) so she takes her ticket and gives my all her stuff. She takes off in the cart, I go up the escalator and go to our seats. She eventually shows up at the end of the first inning. All she had was ice on the knew - no Advil or Tylenol, and not feeling like she was really taken care of by the medical staff.
She's going to have to get this looked at tomorrow.
Nice way to try and watch a game when people have been actually showing up and sitting around us! We're not used to this and we've been able to spread out a little and relax. Now, when Carol need to stretch out a bit, she can't.
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posted at 09:39 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, April 22, 2006
White Sox 9 - Twins 2
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What a great day for our first night game! It was a little on the cool side (low 60's) and a slight breeze, but it felt great.
Traffic was horrendous - there was an accident on the Kennedy that blocked the right 3 lanes but apparently the traffic people didn't tell us what was going on, so I stayed on the Kennedy, thinking it would eventually free-up. Well it did when we passed the accident site at Kimbal - and didn't find a trace of this alleged accident. We flew the rest of the way to the park.
Not only is this our first night game, but this is our first game that started after 3:05. The significance of that? That would mean that this is our first game without organist Nancy Faust. It was weird. Before the game the Stadium crew just played more music, almost right from the JACK FM playlist. But there was these silent, almost awkward gaps when the visiting team was at bat. There was no music where there used to be, and that made me miss Nancy. I didn't believe how much she has become part of the experience of the game at U.S. Cellular Field... they played a recording of her for the 7th Inning Stretch, and no one seemed to notice... except for that empty booth behind the plate.
Another great game, another great win (we need to store those up in case we need them like last year). I almost feel that I don't want to talk about the game itself because everyone did well, You could always lookup the Boxscore.
The fireworks after the game were... the fireworks after the game. Nothing new. Tonight, they used music that was played all last season for things on the scoreboard video or just stuff heard around the park (like "Go Go White Sox", etc).
Getting out of the parking lot was a nightmare. the Dan Ryan was terrible, so we took a scenic route through downtown and caught-up with the Kennedy at Ontario.
Nice night.
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posted at 11:34 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Thursday, April 20, 2006
White Sox Ticket SalesHad to write something here for the White Sox fans out there...
... as of yesterday, the Sox have now passed last year's season total for tickets sold.
April 19. Not bad for advance sales. Hopefully we can live up to expectations...
posted at 12:40 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Sunday, April 16, 2006
White Sox 6 - Blue Jays 4 
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Wow. As gorgeous as it was yesterday was as lousy as it was today.
We planned to spend the game in the Stadium Club because it was supposed to rain today.
And rain it did.
The game started on time. We had a good first inning - Scott Podsednik had a triple to the right field corner (it's cool when you're high above the right field corner in the Stadium Club and you see that ball coming toward you, hoping it would - as Hawk would say - "stretch" and make it over the wall). Jermaine Dye had a homer later in the inning. Jim Thome had a homer later in the 2nd (damn, he really DOES hit those balls a mile!) Freddie Garcia did much better job, even in the rain.
Yes it rained. Hard. Oh, God, hard. The first delay was in the top of the third and was 42 minutes long.
Carol and I had to get going to pickup my Mom and drive to Orland Park to my cousin Jane's for our annual family Easter get-together, so we left about 10-to-3, so we didn't see the rest of the game. We were winning and you can tell in the 5th that the umpires were stretching things quite a bit to try to get a regulation game. Apparently, though we couldn't see it because we were in the car, the field actually became unplayable. Freddie had given up 4 runs and 4 walks on 45 pitches in the top of the 5th. Thank God we had the lead.
During the game - during the first delay - I took a trip downstairs and bought another ticket for the authentic World Series Ring raffle. Found out that the winners of the raffle will get their rings in an on-field ceremony. Way cool. Could you imagine? Getting a Championship World Series ring, complete with your name engraved on it, just like a member of the team in an on-field ceremony, but as a fan?
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posted at 04:46 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Wolves 6 - Aeros 5 
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So, we took a leisurely drive from the Sox game to the north suburbs to go to the final Chicago Wolves game of the season. (We had a lot of time to kill, even when stopping for dinner and shopping at Office Depot.)
Other than being the last game, it was also a special night - the retirement of Steve Maltais' number to the rafters. Malts played for the Wolves for the first 11 years of their franchise life (the only player to do so), so he's been a cornerstone of the team over the years. He was Captain 10 times. They had the old IHL Turner Cup on display (we won it twice during Steve's tenure) and the AHL Calder Cup (only won that one once, but think about this - 3 Championship Cup's in the franchise's first 8 years!) Before the game during warm-up, the Wolves players wore one-of-a kind No. 11 jerseys that were eventually be signed by Maltais and the player who wore it and were raffled-off.
The game was really good, like the players thought it actually meant something, which it didn't.
We were winning 5-0 in the 2nd, when at 16:29 there was an altercation. No, who are we kidding, we're talking fight - an all out, fists-flying-and-no-stopping-even-when-the-guy-falls-to-the-ice pummeling, all courtesy of Francis Lessard, a fight we haven't seen out of Frankie in years. The kind where Frankie get 2 minutes for Instigating, 5 minutes for Fighting, 10 minutes for Misconduct - Instigating and a Game misconduct - Third man in (56(d)) and another Game misconduct - Aggressor (56(a)). What a way to end the season.
From here, things deteriorated, where Houston got 2 goals in the second, then scores again in the third before we wake up and score one (shorthanded) and Houston comes back with another two and the Wolves barely win their final game of the season.
Quietly, and obviously when you saw the end of it, another retirement happened tonight. Long-time man-behind-the-wolf Jim Santee skated his last "Black Betty" as the mascot Skates during the Second Intermission.
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posted at 10:47 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
White Sox 4 - Blue Jays 2 
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What a wonderful, gorgeous day for a ballgame. I've been looking for this kind of a day for a long time.
It started off pretty rough, though. The Blue Jays have only 2 guys in their lineup batting under .300. 8 pitches from Mark Buehrle in the first, and we're losing 2-0. Fortunately, Jim Thome walked and Paul Konerko hit a 2-run homer and we tied it 2-2 in the bottom of the first, and then it made everything all square and we had a ballgame again. (Thome has reached base and scored in each of the 11 games this season.) It was Paulie again in the 5th with another 2-run home run and got us the lead for good. Buehrle pitched 8 innings and retired the last 8. Bobby Jenks pitched the 9th and he earned a good save and didn't really screw up (except for a single - big deal).
The American League Championship Trophy and THE World Series Trophy are now in the window of the gift shop behind Home Plate - you can't get near the place because of all of the people trying to take pictures of the themselves with the trophy. Too bad it's behind glass that's reflecting the field or reflecting the flash of the cameras, because I didn't see a single picture that looked good.
Another big deal at the park is the raffle tickets. No the Sox Split Charity Raffle.
These are for a World Series Ring. Your own real, honest to goodness authentic World Series Players' Ring. Engraved with your name on it, even, just like everyone else. The Sox are raffling-off 3 of them (100,000 tickets at $20 each - proceeds go to White Sox Charities).
How cool would it be to have your own World Series Championship Ring for being a fan?
I guess the only other "odd" thing at the park was that guy on the outfield concourse in a speedo...
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posted at 04:43 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
No WolvesWas just watching the game on Comcast Cable.
The Wolves have been eliminated from playoff contention by their 5-4 loss in overtime.
I Believe this is the first time in franchise history that the Wolves didn't make the playoffs.
Great. I think I feel a shakeup coming on...
posted at 09:48 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Wolves 1 - Stars 4 
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Hard to believe that the Wolves have been on a tear, winning their last 9 games in a row, struggling to make the last playoff spot.
Hard to believe...
...because they sucked tonight. You can tell they're jelling as a team, late in the season, but I think I can sum up their problems tonight in one word: passing. It was all off - no one could hit anyone wit ha pass, it was always errant... or stupid (stupidly passed to an opponent, mostly)
Hard to believe we out-shot them 36-21 and only come up with 1 goal (which was setup soooo nicely)
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posted at 10:16 PM | Link | Wolves | § |
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
White Sox 2 - Indians 8 
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What a wonderful day.
What a crappy game.
Carol left the house at 9am and got to the park at 5 to 10, before the parking lots opened. We weren't the only ones. I've never seen lines so long before the gates opened to the park, even during the World Series - All because people wanted a Replica Championship Ring, given out to the first 20,000 fans. We must have been - at most - 100th in line to get into the Stadium Club entrance. The ran out of Rings right after us and a near riot almost started.
I can't tell you how comfortable it felt to walk back into the park again. And the park looked great. Even though our section of seats are still the old blue seats (they're that way from the dugouts to the outfield), seeing the rest of the park in dark green seats really makes the park look great.
Before the game, members of the Front Office, dressed in tuxedos (with tails) and gloves, carried onto the field the Championship Rings on silver platters. One by one, coaches, then players, were called to the center of the field to receive their rings from Commissioner Bud Selig, Owner Jerry Reinsdorf and General Manager Kenny Williams. Guys that are now playing for other teams flew in, just to receive their rings. the most memorable - Aaron Rowand. He got a huge ovation from the fans, who let him know he's missed. If anyone on that field had tears in their eyes, it was him - not to mention tears in the stands when he took the field.
The whole ceremony was so special to watch and to be there to be part of. Almost made up for not getting tickets to opening Night. Almost.
Marty Casey and the Lovehammers, fresh from touring with INXS, got a chance to play one song before the game started. Guess which one it was? Yep, "Trees".
We found a brand new food being sold at the park - it's only from a stand behind the plate - freshly made caramel corn and cheese corn (complete with mixes of both). WONDERFUL!
The game itself was terrible. Sure, Jim Thome hit another home run, but Freddie Garcia had nothing on his pitches and got rocked. He looked terrible. Our defense was poor and - at times - felt Keystone Cop-like.
It was painful to sit through and watch.
On top of it all, Gene Honda wasn't there - Tom Shaer did P.A. duties, and Nancy Faust had brought her old organ to the patk, and it sounded totally different compared to what she's sounded like in the past.
Also, we have new parking passes this year, which make us park in the lots north (A, B, C, & G) of the park instead of south (E, F & L). Well, it actually took us an hour to get out of the neighborhood. We're going to have to pay attention to traffic patterns around the park after the game.
Speaking of after the game, we went over to Janie & Gary's for a wonderful dinner.
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posted at 10:53 PM | Link | White Sox | § |
Monday, April 03, 2006
Still in Fist PlaceI woke up and felt the need to see if the White Sox were still playing.
Sure enough, they were.
They got themselves into a 3-3 tie in the top of the 4th when the rains came. No, DELUGE.
Total Rain Delay time: 2 hours 57 minutes.
Sox won 10-4 around 1:10 in the morning.
posted at 01:19 AM | Link | White Sox | § |
Friday, March 24, 2006
Wolves 4 - Aeros 2 
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Very good game tonight. Too bad Carol didn't go (she stayed at home "recuperating"). Hardly anybody from our "extended Wolves family" was there. Actually, I was glad Carol wasn't there because the guy that would have been sitting next to her and his 3 kids would have drove her nut. Drove me nuts. It was obvious that they never heard of nor heeded the "Wait For The Whistle" warning that's given in the announcements before the game.
Great intensity. Great swarming the puck, great defense in front of the net. They looked really good. Too bad we're still not in a playoff position. It may be the first time in franchise history that we'll miss the playoffs. Actually, Carol and I are planning on it - we didn't buy any postseason tickets this year. I mean, why? If we get there, we're not going anywhere, so why spend the money that we don't have?
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posted at 11:08 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Wolves 3 - Rivermen 4 (Shootout) 
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We knew we were in trouble in the parking lot, watching people dressed-up for St. Patrick's Day pouring out of a motor coach. The team wore this year's St. Patrick's Day Jersey (which will be auctioned-off next week). I REALLY like this year's jersey.
The game was a little odd. Peoria came out very strong. Their first goal almost felt like it was a swarm that came down the ice and impossible to defend. The game was pretty physical and at least the boys seamed like they were in the game the whole way. Unfortunately, we ended regulation in a tie. Overtime was well fight but unproductive.
Then came the shootouts. I hate shootouts. I feel that our team can't defend them at all - I mean we've had six goalies this year. Their 3rd shooter was the first guy to score, and we were out when their 5th shooter scored... with nothing from us.
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posted at 11:12 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Wolves 6 - Americans 4 
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Help me...
I was just here 24 hours ago... it's a ll a blur... why do I insist on following and supporting this losing team...
The biggest surprise of all, other than nobody that normally sits near us actually showed-up for the game (they were probably getting as overwhelmed as us), was that the Wolves re-signed long-time defenseman Bob Nardella, who was dressed and played tonight.
In what is becoming too familiar - starting goalie Tuomas Tarkki gave up 2 real easy goals and was replaced with Michael Garnett, who was slightly better.
It was a struggle, but the "new" team showed-up we we actually won.
Hate to say this, but even with 11,994 people there, it was nice not having Brad and Jen in front of us, letting us stretch out a bit...
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posted at 10:51 PM | Link | Wolves | 1 comment § |
Friday, March 03, 2006
Wolves 5 - Griffins 2 
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It's been just 48 hours ago since we've been here, watching the Wolves give a typical losing performance.
Tonight, we're facing an old nemesis who used to be in our division, but now leads our conference a full 30 points ahead of us (we're 12th behind them). We don't see them as often as we used to, so this rivalry can't be in the same shape.
We score first. No big deal, we've been there before. We score again. OK, a little different. The referee tonight - Francois St. Laurent - starts calling really tacky penalties. We have 3 guys in the box, and we get through the period without giving up a goal.
The usually flat 2nd period goes halfway before the Griffins score a goal, but then we get one back. There's a lot of holding, pushing, shoving, boarding and things progress where they slowly get out of hand. Yes, the old rivalry is still there. It gets bad enough when their goalie Joey MacDonald takes down one of our guys after getting bumped into. He gets our guy on the ice and starts pummeling him in the head with his blocker.
This is really out of control, but we come out on top 5-2. How can it be that we can't beat teams that are worse than us but we beat the Conference leader? How schizophrenic is this team?
What made the experience all the worse was the guy sitting next to Carol who was frenetically jumping up and down in his seat all night and yelling odd things at the ref ("go back to Walmart" "you missed your short bus" "go back to Canada you hoser") and few obscenities along the way that made the whole section uneasy.
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posted at 11:14 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Wolves 2 - Moose 5 
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First period - the boys look OK, they keep the puck in the offensive zone most of the time and just seem to control the game. We outshot them 17-9, though we were tied 1-1. Second period - totally different team shows up on ice. We still outshoot them 15-9, but now we're losing 4-1 and our starting goalie Tuomas Tarkki is replaced with Michael Garnett, who gets booed when he comes on the ice because the fans don't trust him.
We lose 5-2 and "old man" Wade Flaherty had 39 saves.
Of course, even though there was only 4321 people there, the fans that showed-up were there to torment Jimmy Roy.
Let me just say that, yes we did and this could be the last trip for Jimmy to "The Wolves Den".
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posted at 10:26 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Game On!YEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!
Sitting at my desk and listening to baseball on the radio!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, it's preseaon.
OK, it's a different station covering the games.
OK, it's a different broadcast team covering the games.
But, it's baseball!!!!
posted at 02:04 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, February 27, 2006
The IdiotI've never been a fan of Frank Thomas.
Now, he may be destined for the Hall of Fame. He really did contribute for years for the Chicago White Sox. He was a big deal.
Was.
He also could have had this city wrapped around his little finger. If he would just shut-up, or say a few things a certain way. Maybe even actually do a few charity things. No. He squandered what he had. He got hurt. He stopped producing meaningful numbers. He wasn't a go-to guy, he was a goat.
His time had come a long time ago, passed, and yet he lingered a bit too long. When the team finally gets together and wins the World Series for the first time in 88 years, his 35 games/109 At-Bats/.219 average barely contributes.
And now he's in Oakland.
Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams called former slugger Frank Thomas" an idiot'' over the weekend, because Frank continues to whine about the way he was treated. A selfish man, who refused to play first base, who hadn't played a full season since 2003, didn't like the way he was treated.
Yeah, we treated him well. Too well. He should have been gone years ago under that "diminished skills'' clause of his contract.
Idiot. Shut-up and play for your new team. You're showing your whining to your new team now, and I hope they're listening. No "I" in "team", my friend.
posted at 01:40 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Wolves 8 - Barons 0
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We got to the game over a half an hour late - and we walk in to hear Wayne Messmer just doing the National Anthem - it turns out DePaul's basketball game ended later than it normally did, pushing everything out in time.
I really can't tell you what happened during the game because I can't explain the play. The team didn't really appear to be all that different, but apparently it was. They weren't quicker, they were just getting to the puck better, they were passing better, they were shooting better. How else can you explain this losing team's 8-0 shutown win? We scored on both of their goalies like we knew what we were doing. In the meantime, the Barons were barely taking shots all game. It was a pretty clean game, too. Felt like it went fast because of the lack of penalties.
HUGE crowd - 16,607 fans - the 10th largest crowd in franchise history. Has to be because of Group Sales.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet)
WAIT... the strangeness doesn't end there...
During the First Intermission we had a wedding on the ice. Vladimir Len, or Vlad, is an off-ice official that sits in the box below us, usually as the Penalty Timekeeper. He's marrying a fan that sits over to the left of the visitor Penalty Box, Holly. The team even had a press release about them, and it was shown on the scoreboard and broadcast as part of the game over Comcast cable.
You know - I couldn't do this. I could get married at Comiskey, but I couldn't get married at a hockey game.
Wedding Bells to Ring at Wolves Game on Feb. 25
02/13/2006
The Chicago Wolves will host an on-ice wedding during the first intermission when the team battles the Cleveland Barons at the Allstate Arena on Sat., Feb. 25, at 7 p.m.
Holly Braun, a Wolves season-ticket holder since 2001, will marry Vladimir Len, an American Hockey League off-ice official and former team season-ticket holder, in the eight-minute ceremony. Wolves season-ticket holder “Tattoo” Ron Gac (GACK), an ordained minister and tattoo artist, will make the bond official.
The Wolves will provide the newlyweds with flowers and a wedding cake, courtesy of Jewel-Osco, and a night’s stay in the Presidential Suite at the Wyndham Hotel in Rosemont.
Braun and Len – a Chicago native – met at the 1999 International Hockey League All-Star Game in Cincinnati and have been attending Wolves games together for five seasons.
The Wolves game – along with all regular-season and playoff contests – and ceremony will be televised live in the Chicago area on Comcast Cable. Log on chicagowolves.com for the channel designation in your area.
For more information or tickets to the game, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:11 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Friday, February 17, 2006
Less tickets on sale todayThe White Sox put up tickets for sale to the general public today. They also said that - for the first time on franchise history - they have sold 2 Million Tickets before Opening Day.
We already have sell outs:
All games available except Sunday, April 2 vs. Cleveland Tuesday, April 4 vs. Cleveland Saturday, May 6 vs. Kansas City Friday, May 19 vs. Cubs Saturday, May 20 vs. Cubs Sunday, May 21 vs. Cubs Friday, July 7 vs. Boston Saturday, July 8 vs. Boston Sunday, July 9 vs. Boston Thursday, August 10 vs. New York, which are sold out.
posted at 09:24 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
WE DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE A SEASON TICKET HOLDER...I'm full of all kinds of emotions right now, the major ones are anger and hurt.
For the first time since becoming a Split Season Ticket Holder for the White Sox since January of 1996, Carol and I will be missing Opening Day.
Why?
read more of this entry »
Because the White Sox all of a sudden are HOT in Chicago, and season ticket sales have skyrocketed, to the point of having a standby list (if you want Post Season tickets as well). There are too many people for the seats available.
Since we're split-season, we don't get all of the games, in particular opening day. We have a Split Season plan that is just weekends only (a friggin' WONDERFUL package for watching baseball). Since Opening Day is traditionally a weekday game, we never got tickets for that game, but at some point in the pre-season, before the public could buy tickets, we got the option of buying tickets for Opening Day.
This year, Opening Day is Opening Night, Sunday night April 2, and is the actual kick-off of the baseball season - it will be the first game played anywhere, broadcast on ESPN that night.
Let's ignore the fact that this game is a SUNDAY (meaning a WEEKEND game) because this game was actually on Monday the 3rd, and ESPN and MLB asked to have it changed to Sunday. (So, because it was originally a Monday game, it doesn't qualify as a "Weekend" game for us weekend-only people).
Because of the bloat of season tickets, the White Sox did not offer us the ability to get any tickets to that game.
Today, all Season Ticket holders were able to buy single game seats for any game. We were to be emailed a special password to get into Ticketmaster website to purchase tickets after 10am. The public doesn't buy tickets until the 17th.
I logged on early and noticed that the Suite and Scout Seat Season ticket holders got an hour before we did to purchase tickets. I waited for my Password email to show up - and it NEVER did. Instead, about 10:25 I received and email from someone at the White Sox about a bogus link that was mailed-out but the passwords we were given were still OK to use.
That's when I knew i was in trouble. I immediately replied to the person on the email and got a somewhat prompt reply saying that the password was my account number.
Too late. It was an hour into our session, 2 hours after tickets were being sold this morning.
I didn't have a .
I wonder how many season ticket holders bought additional seats because they could when the rest of us schlubs never had a chance?
And if you aren't a season ticket holder? FORGET ABOUT IT. AIN'T NOTHING LEFT TO BUY.
I've been so damn excited and giddy about the team winning the World Series, especially in such convincing fashion.
But, as they say, "be careful what you wish for."
I feel that, even though I am a Season Ticket Holder, I am not being treated like one because I'm a Slit-Season guy and not a Full Season guy.
We have been treated fine for the past 10 years - but not now. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:25 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Wolves 1 - Phantoms 6 
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Just because we won last night, why should I believe that we could win two in a row?
Nope - can't go two in a row.
Left early again... with only 4 minutes left in the game this time, and only one goal under our belkt... which Carol & I didn't see because we had to let somebody our row while the game was in play.
Listen and remember one thing: "WAIT FOR THE WHISTLE"! Don't stand up while play is going on - it's dangerous!
Big crowd - 11,804 watched the loss.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:26 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Strong women
After watching the Canadian Women's Hockey team beat Italy 14-0, I'm convinced they could possibly beat the Chicago Wolves.
posted at 01:32 PM | Link | Olympics § |
Friday, February 10, 2006
XX Games open
The games are open.
I love HDTV.
Why American 70's/80's music to march the teams into the stadium?
Did Luciano Pavarotti actually sing or was it tape? He sure wasn't straining at all. There wasn't enough close-ups for a definitive answer.
posted at 11:04 PM | Link | Olympics § |
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Wolves 1 - Crunch 3 
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Oh, God.
Nine games out of the last playoff birth...
The team has NEVER missed a playoff, they've been that good.
I guess we got spoiled.
This team SUCKS. It's painful to watch. there's only a glimpse every so often of what these guys can do. It's not just the Atlanta draft picks, even the non-Atlanta Wolves-Contract players suck. We don't have a goalie worth a damn.And we've had SIX of them!
I stay to watch my movies (open to closing credits), I stay to watch my sporting events.
We left during the second intermission and missed no scoring (big surprise!)
We're straying from the team. Give us hope! Show us something! Don't play so desperate!
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:10 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Friday, January 27, 2006
Fest-lessJust got off the phone with our pal Janie. None of us is going to SoxFest, which starts in under an hour. Of all years to not pay attention to when tickets were on sale, the year in which the World Series should not be one of them. It would have been a great night... or weekend, but I screwed-up. We screwed-up. Nuts.
Came home to find the invoice to sign-up for the Stadium Club for the year. For a split-season ticket package it went up over $100 to $550. It's worth it for the beginning of the season when it's cold & rainy. It's worth it for those 90 degree summer days. And boy is it worth it in post-season. We split it with Janie & Gary and it works out. Pretty upset the price went up, though...
posted at 04:11 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Changes at TPFKAC™Hearing rumors about some of the changes going on at Comiskey... "The Joan"... "The Cell"... US Cellular Field... whatever. (Still pissed-off about the name of the place and it's been three years).
Went looking through WhiteSoxInteractive and found some disturbing stories.
I've been waiting years to change the color of the seating from that pool blue to green, the way ballparks should look. I got all excited when they made the announcement that it was going to happen. So it started last year, and it was supposed to progress through last season. Never did. This off-season, they've gone through, starting upstairs, and ripped out all the seats and replaced them (as of this writing, they're not complete - the last two sections are to done - somehow they received the wrong seats). The started working downstairs - but only up to the dugouts. that's right, my section WON'T be getting new seats this season for the second year in a row. there's no explanation why. Here's where the rumor and speculation come in: in the majority of "modern" ballparks, the seats in these areas are specially built so they are canted toward the infield, sort of like setting the seats at a 12 degree angle while keeping the whole row straight. Now, if that's what they're doing, then I'll shutup and relish in the canted seat next year. If that's not what happening, and they're just stalling again, then I'm going to be pissed, because who sits in these seats? The Partial Season Ticket Holders, who are slowly starting to feel screwed by the team (the possible inability to get Opening Night tickets was the beginning of the mistreatment).
On a different subject, what may be the most disturbing news for me.
Nancy Faust will not be playing organ at all of the games in 2006. In fact, she's only playing day games. Nancy says it's her idea. Perhaps it's the beginning of a retirement after what will be 37 years of playing the organ.
I know that people want to hear something more modern, like the clips that are played for the home players when they come up to bat. (Nancy plays pieces for the visiting teams batters).
It's baseball. You've got to have organ music.
You gotta have Nancy.
posted at 11:17 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Wolves 4 - Admirals 6 
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We're at that point in the Season where the Chicago Wolves come up with a special jersey to wear for 3 home games so they can be auctioned-off for charity. This year is a Mardi Gras themed jersey to benefit the Red Cross and Hurricane Katrina relief. It's odd seeing the team in yellow. Somehow I've accepted their St. Patrick's Day jerseys as their fourth jersey (after the Maroon, White, and alternate Black jerseys). The auction doesn't happen until tomorrow, so any of the prices I saw today make no difference to tomorrow. The jerseys were all over $500 and the top-end for today was $1,000. you could expect that all to at least double tomorrow.
Let's just say that they color of the jerseys makes no difference to the performance on the ice. 6:21 into the First period we were already losing 3-0, on 4 shots (the first shot went off the post. Michael Garnett was terrible and was pulled for Adam Berkhoel. And the went on a tear of 4 goals into the 2nd. By the end of the 2nd, the Admirals had tied it and we never came back, losing 6-4 (though I thought that Milwaukee's last shot of the game came before the buzzer as they shot into our empty net and they'd make it 7-4, but I guess it was too late.)
I have to tell you, the team is so bad it's making Carol re-think season tickets for next year. She's just not that interested. I totally understand why. I'm surprised there's been as many people to the games as there have been.
It's an inferior product that they're putting out there for the first time in franchise history. We suck, We're not getting consistency and not showing improvement.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:21 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
20,000 and climbingThe White Sox announced that Season Ticket sales have passed 20,000, the highest in franchise history. This is allowing General Manager Ken Williams to raise the payroll to $95 million, certainly something that can't hurt the team. The downside? Because of the way MLB handles postseason tickets, anybody buying a full Season Ticket after January 15 (or Partial after January 9) will NOT get any options to buy Postseason tickets. A waiting list has been created for people that want to get the postseason options. WAITING LIST. The Sox have a WAITING LIST for Season Tickets (soft of). I NEVER thought this would happen in this town. There's also a RUMOR floating around (it's just a rumor) that - because of the number of Season Tickets being sold - the popular Dog Day promotion may be canceled because there will be too many Season Ticket Holders that will need to be displaced when the bleachers are vacated to make room for the dogs and their owners. Another rumor going around - due to the new City of Chicago Smoking Ordinance, U.S. Cellular Field will now be smoke-free. (As a non-smoker, all I can say is "YES!")
posted at 11:22 AM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Friday, December 30, 2005
Wolves 11 - Rivermen 5 
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We looked bad at the beginning of the game - Peoria was fast and aggressive, passed the puck and handled the puck very well. By 4:09 in the first, we were already down 2-0.
Then, the most remarkable thing happened.
We started scoring.
And never stopped.
We set a franchise record for goals in a game (11) and goals in a period (7 in the 2nd Period).
Strange coincidences permeated the game - like our 7th goal was by #7 Mark Popovic, the 8th goal was by #8 Pat Dwyer and our 10th goal was by #10 Ramzi Abid. Weird!
Now how about this - 11 goals on 22 shots?!?!? Both teams went through two goaltenders (I think we did just to give them some rest, since we so far in the lead)
And we got called for Too Many Men on the Ice THREE TIMES!
Now, it didn't hurt that in the 2nd at 14:58 Rocky Thompson went after Billy Tibbetts and gave us a power play for some time after getting 2 minutes for Roughing, 2 minutes for Instigating, 5 minutes for Fighting, a 10 minutes Misconduct - Instigating and a Game misconduct - Aggressor (56(a)). We only got one Power Play goal during that time - our major downfall of the past season(s).
This was one for the record books, one to experience.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:46 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Friday, December 23, 2005
Wolves 3 - Bears 4 (Overtime) 
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Outshot 40-30.
Referee Bob Langdon called a very uneven game. We were up 3-1 in the 3rd (Tuomas Tarkki actually looked great), and then all of a sudden were called for some cheap penalties and the Bears got back into the game and tied it 3-3.
In overtime, Langdon calls Kip Miller for Holding the Stick (which we're now dubbing the Brokeback Mountain penalty) in Kip Miller at 3:19 into overtime, and the Bears score 4:32 into overtime. The Wolves went nuts, pitching and hollering at Langdon. According the the scoresheet, the Bench got a 10-minute Gross misconduct at the end of the game.
REALLY SCARY part of the game - sometime during the 3rd, one of the Bears got hit in the throat. He went don in front of his net, struggled to get to his feet, coasted back to the bench and collapsed in the bench. Everything else happened pretty quickly. A doctor cam onto the ice and was escorted to the bench. Paramedics and police brought out a gurney. Players and coaches stood in front of the bench door, making "snow" with their skates on the ice. (I think they were applying it to the guy's throat). He eventually stood-up and you could see that his throat was really red and wet.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:37 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Wolves 3 - Admirals 4 
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9-11-1-3, 22pts, in 6th place in the division, 20 points behind the first place Aeros, only 1 point ahead of the last place Rampage. 6 different goaltenders, Goals Against averages between 1.47 and .4.41
WE SUCK
Nice to see our Power Play is still missing after many years - 1 / 8.
Lackluster. Unmotivated.

The Big Deal for this game was supposed to be Bobby Hull. Let's just say expectations weren't managed well. Did he skate in the warmups? No. He dropped the Ceremonial First Puck, then retired to the Budweiser bar, where he stayed for the rest of the game yo sign autographs. There was a lot of Hull memorabilia that was Silent Auctioned to raise money for Wolves' charities.
Somehow, we expected more. Just like our team.
Update: WOW. Holy Crap. I've heard stories about Bobbie Hull signing autographs for his fans, that he wouldn't stop until everybody was satisfied. Say what you want about the guy, but he finished signing everything at 1:30 A.M.!
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:21 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Friday, November 25, 2005
Wolves Announcement
Went to the Wolves practice facility here in town. I was too curious about this Media Alter from Wednesday night. There was a big tournament going on, so there were a lot of parents and kids there, but no indication of a press conference.
I talked to a few people and the rumor flying around was that Bobby Hull was in the building.
That seems like two different things going on at once.
I was wrong.
read more of this entry »

Wolves "Sign" a Hull of a Player
11/25/2005
The Chicago Wolves have “signed” National Hockey League Hall-of-Fame left wing BOBBY HULL. He will be in uniform when the Wolves host the Milwaukee Admirals at the Allstate Arena on Sat., Dec. 17, at 7 p.m.
“I’m proud to be with the Wolves,” said HULL. “They’re a part of Chicago and I’m pleased to be back because it’s the greatest city in the world with the greatest sports fans in the world. With the new rules today, maybe I could score 25 goals – of course I’ll be 67 in January.”
The 66-year-old forward amassed 610 goals and 1,170 points in 1,063 NHL games spanning 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks (1957-1972), Winnipeg Jets (1979-1980) and Hartford Whalers (1979-1980). He also collected 62 goals and 129 points in 119 playoff games, which includes helping the Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley Cup Championship.
HULL also spent seven seasons in the World Hockey Association with Winnipeg (1972-1979), registering 303 goals and 638 points in 411 contests.
The Pointe Anne, Ontario, native was recognized twice as the NHL’s most valuable player (1964-65 and 1965-66), captured three league scoring titles (1959-60, 1961-62 and 1965-66) and garnered one Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for combining sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct with a high standard of playing ability (1965-66).
“Our scouts have loved this guy since the ‘50s. He’s a young 66, and with the new rules, we expect him to light it up like never before,” said Wolves General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. “It should be a treat for our fans to see a legend like No. 9 at the Allstate Arena on Dec. 17. If this works out, I may have to give Guy Lafleur, Glenn Hall and Gordie Howe a buzz.” « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:56 AM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Wolves 4 - Hamilton 2 
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The day before Thanksgiving and I'm at a hockey game alone - Carol is at home getting ready for tomorrow.
Before the game we were all talking about a sheet that was included with all of the media packages - MEDIA ALERT - WOLVES TO ANNOUNCE MAJOR SIGNING FRIDAY NOVEMBER 25 9:45 AM. What the hell was that going to be about?
The game started smooth - we had the same ref as Saturday - Scott Hoberg - who didn't call anything and just let the guys play. Tonight - different story.
At 15:21 into the First, we're winning 1 to nothing when an altercation happened against the boards on our side (boarding). Next thing we know, a couple of fights broke out. Now, to all of us in the crowd (OK, not-so-crowd - 6,612) this was just a fight - nothing odd, nothing malicious, nothing to write home about. Hoberg is taking forever calling the penalties. In fact, later, after we had seen the entire off-ice officials that were working in the scoring booth laughing at Hoberg, we found out that Hoberg changed his mind four times.
So what came of this?
How about 2 minutes for Instigating, 5 minutes for Fighting, 10 minutes Misconduct - Instigating.
It doesn't stop there - here's the rest:5 minutes for Fighting and a Game misconduct - Secondary altercation (56(f)); 5 minutes for Fighting and a Game misconduct - Secondary altercation (56(f)); 5 minutes for Fighting; 5 minutes for Fighting and a Game misconduct - Secondary altercation (56(f)); 2 minutes for Boarding, 5 minutes for Fighting and a Game misconduct - Secondary altercation (56(f)).
For the rest of the period and all of the 2nd, it felt like there was always somebody in the Penalty Box. The 3rd started the same way and then everything was fine until the last 4 minutes where there were more odd penalties, nothing near as severe that we had in the First, but this guy would call nothing and then wake-up and start calling things. Very uneven. Total penalty minutes for both teams: 151 minutes
The play is starting to pickup. We just may not finish in last place this year...
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:32 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Wolves 3 - Admirals 2 
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We're 4-6, 6th in a 7 team division.
The team sucks.
But somehow tonight, with a packed house of 14,538 the boys actually won. And, in the First Period, looked pretty good. In fact I thought it looked like we could easily score against Milwaukee. I shouldn't have said that as Milwaukee quickly tied the game. The second period was bad. The third had a great start (which we were looking for to see what the team was made of).
Seems like we have a "goalie-du-jour", with goalies being signed, sent up, sent down, and released. It's a revolving door. Brad said that that last night the goalie (same as tonight Tuomas Tarkki) had his first AHL game - and was throwing-up in the locker room ahead of the game.
The big comment among the "regulars": "Who are these guys?" It's such a brand new team with new faces every week - it's hard to root for guys you don't know.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:00 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
100 days
Just 100 days until the XX Olympic Winter Games in Torino (or is it Turin?) Italy (February 10, 2006).
posted at 08:51 AM | Link | Olympics § |
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
How much change is good change?Here's were it's all going to start for the 2006 White Sox - the first player movements.
read more of this entry »
The big positive move - picking up the option on Cliff Politte for $1.2 million
The team declined the 2006 option on designated hitter Carl Everett, buying him out at $500,000 instead of his $5 million option. So he's the first guaranteed to go (and, you know, I'm OK with that).
The first Free Agent move was actually Paul Konerko last Thursday (the Sox have exclusive financial negotiating rights to Konerko through Nov. 10, but you know he's going to test the waters and God knows what kind of offers he's going to get. PRIORITY, people, let's get ready to handle getting this guy back), but another happened quietly - Geoff Blum. Both guys have said they want to return to the Sox.
Frank Thomas exercised his $10 million player option for 2006 (but the team has five days to elect to give him a $3.5 million buyout and people believe that's going to happen because of his ankle fractures).
We've got arbitration coming up for Jon Garland, A.J. Pierzynski , and Joe Crede so there's going to be more money there.
Oh, then we have the incentive bonuses: Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle can earn at least $60,000 if they finished no lower than fifth in the American League Cy Young Award voting (to be announced Nov. 8).
Oh, let's bring up something that caught my attention: The Curse of 1906
This is a Chicago-wide baseball curse. Chicago has not celebrated a postseason baseball series championship of any kind on its own soil. Didn't happen this year (ALDS was won in Boston, ALCS in Anaheim and the World Series in Houston). In 2003 the Cubs won the NLDS in Atlanta.
In 1906 it HAD to be a Chicago team: the Sox topped the Cubs at South Side Park in Game 6 of the World Series.
Great, just what the city needs, another curse. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:10 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, October 28, 2005
Wearing the Championship
Carol left me in charge of getting our World Series championship apparel, so I went over to Dick's Sporting Goods after work. Last time I was there they didn't have anything with any playoff logo on it. Guess that all changes when a team becomes World Champions - they carved-out a really good sized area in front of the store and loaded it with merchandise. Apparently this is going on all over town - sporting goods storing opening hours earlier than normal and the merchandise is just being scooped-up.
posted at 04:06 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Streaming Video is a good thingLocal TV stations in Chicago started their coverage of the White Sox celebration (a celebratory motorcade from the park though the neighborhoods to the Board of Exchange, followed by a "Ticker Tape Parade" down La Salle street (like they still use ticker tape... I heard they're using shredded-up Chicago Sun-Times newspapers... in my opinion a good use of the Sun-Times, but that's gotta look crappy) and a rally in the midle of La Salle and Wacker, right at the river.
Anyway, some of the local stations (Channels 2, 5, 7, and 9) are streaming their coverage over the web so I'll be able to watch from my desk!
Update: Sign in the crowd downtown: JOE CREDE I WANT TO GO TO THIRD BASE WITH YOU
posted at 11:03 AM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Water CanonsI guess the White Sox just landed at Midway and the cool thing was that their plane (looked like an American Airlines 757) was welcomed with a traditional Fire Department Water Canon salute (it's where the fire department water canon trucks will setup opposite each other off of a taxiway and shoot a curtain of water into the air over the taxiway that the plane taxi's underneath). It's cool to watch because that's something that only done on very special occasions and I've never seen it done at a Chicago airport.
posted at 03:31 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS CHICAGO WHITE SOX - 2005- WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS
Not much to say here... I'm kinda overwhelmed and overcome with emotions, I guess.
To follow one team all your life and finally see them win the championship.
Priceless.
read more of this entry »
(Boxscore)
Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
Just a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere
A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlight people, living just to find emotion
Hiding, somewhere in the night
Working hard to get my fill,
everybody wants a thrill
Payin' anything to roll the dice,
just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on
(chorus)
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlight people
« hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:05 AM | Link | White Sox § |
That's 3Damn it. Fell asleep in the friggin' chair watching the game. Woke up when the local Fox news was on after the game. Checked TiVo, but it stopped after Uribe's at bat in the 14th, right after Blum's homerun. (have been TiVo-ing all of the games and copying them off to DVD... just for "posterity")
14 innings (The only other World Series game that lasted 14 innings was on Oct. 9, 1916, when the Boston Red Sox beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 2) Five hours and 41 minutes. (longest (time) in World Series history). 482 pitches. 17 pitchers (the previous high of was 13 for a World Series game). Most walks in a World Series game - 21. Most walks by one team was a record, too, for the Sox - 12. Most players used in a World Series game - 43. The 30 men left on base, 15 by each team, were the most in a World Series game. Most combined Double Plays - 6. Scott Podsednik became the first player to have eight official at-bats in a Series game. First World Series game played in the state of Texas.
I knew it was going to be a rough game. If the Sox didn't win, I wasn't too concerned thinking that the Astros and fans would be pretty pumped. They were but everyone sure fell silent ion the 5th when we scored 5 runs to take the lead after being down 4-0 (especially off their "superstar" pitcher Roy Oswalt, who everybody was raving about, to the point of giving him a win for the game handily without him even throwing a pitch - like he was predestined and nobody could touch him).
Hope I can stay up and watch the game tonight!
read more of this entry »
posted at 01:47 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, October 22, 2005
World Series ShoppingWe're having company over tonight - a perfect time to get out of the house to let Carol clean it without ME being around.
Besides, I've got places I need to go and see.
After all, the World Series is in town for the first time in 47 years.
read more of this entry »
I drove down to U.S. Cellular Field. Note to self: don't take the tollway. Though the oasis is a plus for drinks and snacks, but the construction at the River Road Toll Plaza to start the conversion to Open Road Tolling is going to screw things up - cost me over 15 minutes today, can't imagine what it'll do tomorrow.
There's no traffic around the park, but there's sure a lot of people out and about. I stop and take a picture of a huge banner that's covering the ramps at Gate 6. It's a Grinder Rules ad:
GRINDER BALL RULE #162:
CRYING IN BASEBALL --
ONLY ACCEPTABLE IF CHAMPAGNE BURNS YOUR EYES
Priceless.
I take a right onto 35th. I hadn't planned on stopping at the park to take pictures, but there's just too much happening. I notice that there's a group in the southwest corner of Lot B. Us Flags, City Flags - What's going on? I pull into the lot and walk over - only to miss the end of a Press Conference by Mayor Daley, talking about the Ceremonial Bet of Lou Malnatti's Pizza, Eli's Cheesecake, Atomic Fireballs and Tootsie Rolls. There's a fiberglass cow painted/decorated in Sox colors. And, of course, what everybody in the city has been looking for - Ozzie Guillen cardboard masks. Everybody is taking their own Eli's cheesecakes, and pizza's. Took pictures of the mayor and cow. I walk toward the park and find out that the grounds crew took the World Series stencil that's used on the field and painted a duplicate on a piece of grass outside the park so people can get their picture taken on it. (which I did, thanks to an elderly lady that decided - on her own, mind you - to stand on a bus stop bench to get a better shot (she was right!). Walked around the property and found all of the exterior souvenir stands open and busy, both with customers and with stocking the shelves with new product. After gathering a few things, I walked back to the car and drove just a few blocks west to Grandstand, the world's best White Sox souvenir stand on the face of the planet.
Grandstand had a huge line formed outside the building, running down Wallace. It took me 45 minutes to get into the building - and then I felt like the proverbial "kid in a candy store" and ran around just grabbing those things that I just wanted. Hundreds of dollars later, I escaped the building.
The day wasn't over, however. I heard about what the city was doing with the well known statuaries around town, so I drove over to Michigan Avenue and went to the Art Institute. I parked my car on Columbus and walked along the front of the building.Took pictures of the huge lions that flank the entrance to the building - with large White Sox hats on their heads. Walked to Daley Plaza and took pictures of the Picasso Statue, also with a Sox head on top of its... "head"? Walked back to the car and headed home... and accidentally found the third statue involved on Congress: The Bowman and The Spearman is a statue of an Indian on a horse... that's wearing white socks with White Sox logos on them.
Everybody I saw all day had White Sox stuff on. I saw maybe two people with Cubs stuff (obvious psychopaths).
This is really friggin' cool... « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 02:43 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, October 21, 2005
If the sky's gonna fall, at least let's make the place look good...The Picasso statue in Daley Plaza is wearing a Sox hat.
The two lions in front of the Art Institute are being fitted for hats and will be wearing them shortly.
(I don't know this statue) the hoofs of a downtown sculpture titled "The Bowman and The Spearman" are to outfitted with white socks in time for tomorrow night's Game One against the Houston Astros.
The mayor's office is distributing 20,000 Ozzie Guillen masks. (That's supposed to make the place look better?)
posted at 02:07 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Today has become "The Sky Is Falling" dayToday, the White Sox and the media are laying it on thick. The World Series is coming to town, but if you don't have a ticket, don't bother getting anywhere close.
The first game starts tomorrow night. The police & FBI are blocking of the streets for a block around the park. Nobody without a ticket gets inside the area. On top of that, there will be random car searches. I remember 2 years ago the searches they were doing around the park prior to the All-Star Game. The real unnerving part? They had guys with Geiger counters checking for radiation coming from the cars... makes you wonder if they heard"chatter" about a "threat". And, jeez, the World Series is a pretty big public event... Great...
read more of this entry »
World Series opens Saturday at U.S. Cellular Field 10/20/2005 11:29 AM ET MLB.com
CHICAGO -- The American League Champion Chicago White Sox will host the National League Champion Houston Astros for Game 1 of the World Series on Saturday, October 22 at U.S. Cellular Field.
The White Sox are making the following recommendations to fans attending World Series games:
• Game 1 will begin Saturday at 6:30 p.m.; Game 2 begins at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 23. Games 6 and 7, if necessary, are scheduled for Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30 at 6:30 p.m.
• World Series tickets are sold out. Fans without tickets should not come to the ballpark. No standing room tickets will be sold.
• For the entire World Series, the Bullpen Sports Bar, the outdoor seating adjacent to the Bullpen Sports Bar, the Pontiac Fundamentals Area and the center field Fan Deck are sold out. These areas were sold as regular ticketed areas and will not be available to the public.
• Fans should arrive early to avoid traffic. Gates to the ballpark open at 4:00 p.m. on both days.
• The White Sox strongly recommend that fans utilize public transportation. The CTA Red Line stops near the ballpark at 35th Street and the Green Line is two blocks further east.
• Fans driving to the ballpark with reserved parking coupons should follow the directions on the coupon back to reach their assigned parking area. Parking coupons should be displayed prominently as fans approach the ballpark. All cars are subject to inspection.
• Cash parking will be very limited, and fans intending to drive and pay for cash parking should follow directional signs to available lots. Additional parking will be directed to IIT, Michael Reese Hospital and McCormick Place, where free shuttle service will be available each day.
• Tailgating is permitted, and parking lots will open at 3:00 p.m. Tailgating during and after games is prohibited.
• As is the policy throughout the regular season, fans holding tickets for the upper level will not be able to access other levels of the ballpark. This policy ensures that fans safely and comfortably enjoy the game with access to the areas of the ballpark where they bought tickets.
• Finally, the White Sox ask fans attending games to be respectful of the neighborhood and homes surrounding the ballpark before and after games.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
World Series Road Games 4 and 5 to be broadcast at the United Center 10/21/2005 11:48 AM ET MLB.com
CHICAGO -- The American League Champion Chicago White Sox have announced that World Series Games 4 and 5, being played Wednesday, October 26 and Thursday, October 27 in Houston, can be viewed by fans at the United Center, the home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks.
Tickets for the World Series viewing party are $15, with proceeds being split equally among the official charities of the White Sox, Blackhawks and Bulls. Both games begin at 7:30 p.m. CDT, and gates to the United Center will open at 6:30. Seating will be general admission.
The event will feature the White Sox famous opening introductions, scoreboard video montages and all of the promotions fans would experience at a White Sox home game. It will be the closest thing to being at U.S. Cellular Field.
"The World Series is the pinnacle of this exciting White Sox baseball season, and we knew our fans would want to watch the games together in an energized stadium atmosphere," said White Sox vice president of marketing Brooks Boyer. "We anticipate the possibility of inclement weather, so we were thrilled to work out a partnership with the Blackhawks and Bulls that ultimately will end up supporting worthwhile causes. We think our fans will feel good about that."
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:39 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Houston, eh?So we finally find out what opponent we have for the World Series:
Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros
It's going to be a long, well fought series.
posted at 10:50 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Tickets? HA!World Series tickets went on sale at noon today.
Gone in 18 minutes.
Thank God we have ours already. There weren't a lot of tickets available anyway - I've heard 2,00-4,000.
Still don't know who we're playing.
Update: Well, it's Houston.
Update: Here's the word on tickets from the Inside The White Sox blog, written by Scott Reifert, their Vice President of Communications: I've gotten quite a few questions about how the tickets are distributed. The White Sox get our allotment for STH, etc. Then MLB takes a big chunk for the following: MLB sponsors, licensees, broadcasting partners, the media, all other 28 teams, every MLB player, umpire, etc.
What's left goes on sale to the public, which was just over 10,000 tickets available to the general public for the four games. If you figure there were 140,000 people trying to get 2,500 opportunities (since each could buy four tickets), you can determine how tough the odds are and how many fans were disappointed.
Update: This should put us in our place. 10,000 tickets in 18 minutes? How about Tickets for Wrestlemania 22, to be held in Chicago on April 2nd of next year at the Allstate Arena, were put on sale last week -- and sold out in less than two minutes. And that was 15,000 tickets.
posted at 06:15 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, October 16, 2005
OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODCHICAGO WHITE SOX - AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS - 2005 I didn't think we'd win 4 straight and actually go to the World Series! 4 straight games of complete game pitching?
This is unheard of.
Paul Konerko gets the ALCS MVP trophy.
No World Series appearance since 1959. 46 years. 16,825 days between qualifications.
No World Series win since 1917. 88 years. (let's not get ahead of ourselves)
I wish I could explain to you the feeling of following a team all your life and the team finally makes it to the championship. It's unbelievable.
Yes, there's tears. Tears of joy. I can't explain it. Relief. Pride. Excitement.
(Boxscore)
posted at 10:41 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Wolves 1 - Moose 3 
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A year has passed and we're back at the Allstate Arena for some AHL Hockey action.
Sorry. Not ready for this - baseball is still going on, my team is really into it, and hockey... can wait for all I care.
The game seemed "foreign". We don't have a single goalie we had before. Most of these guys have never played with us. Our new captain - Derek MacKenzie (Steve Maltais is gone - rumors fly - looking at Europe? showed up to camp way out of shape? retired?) - breaks his ankle sliding into a goalpost in the first.
Still don't have a powerplay - how many years will this go on? - Just feels like there wasn't enough practice time with the members of the final team to iron passing and just plain fundamentals.
Sucks.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:53 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Friday, October 07, 2005
Sweep? Sweep? SWEEP!
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First playoff series win since 1917
First playoff sweep in team history
We advance to the AL Championship series for the first time since 1993.
WE SWEPT BOSTON - how did that happen?
OH! Picture this - Damaso Marte (who I STILL don't understand why the HELL he's on our playoff roster) LOADS THE BASES WITH NO OUTS in the bottom of the 6th. 4-3 White Sox. It looks like it's over.
Ozzie - pissed at home plate umpire Mark Wegner's ball-strike calls - brings in former starter El Duque, Orlando Hernandez - who gets out of the inning with a foul out, a pop fly, and finally a strikeout (a Full-count check-swing by Johnny Damon was ruled that he actually went through the check).
After that, El Duque had two scoreless innings while allowing only a two-out single to John Olerud in the eighth.
Sox Win. WHITE Sox Win. And Advance.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 07:33 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, October 02, 2005
OK, now that the season's over...For the first time in a while (actually, only 5 years but it's long enough) it's time to get ready for post-season baseball.
But it took until today to figure out what was going on. We swept the Cleveland Indians (which I was surprised/shocked about).
We end the season TIED for the best record in all of baseball (best in the AL at least - we tied with the ST. Louis Cardinals) - 99-63. I think that's an OK comeback from our little "slide". (The Cardinals had the best record in baseball at 100-62. We came pretty damn close after losing our best record to them in August)
So, here's how the AL plays out for the ALDS First Round:
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Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox
Gm 1 BOS @ CWS Tue Oct. 4 4:00 pm ESPN
Gm 2 BOS @ CWS Wed Oct. 5 7:00 pm ESPN
Gm 3 CWS @ BOS Fri Oct. 7 4:00 pm ESPN2
Gm 4* CWS @ BOS Sat Oct. 8 TBD
Gm 5* BOS @ CWS Sun Oct. 9 TBD
* - if necessary
New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels
Gm 1 NYY @ LAA Tue Oct. 4 8:00 pm FOX
Gm 2 NYY @ LAA Wed Oct. 5 10:00 pm ESPN
Gm 3 LAA @ NYY Fri Oct. 7 8:00 pm ESPN
Gm 4* LAA @ NYY Sat Oct. 8 TBD
Gm 5* NYY @ LAA Sun Oct. 9 TBD
* - if necessary
« hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 03:42 PM | Link | White Sox | 2 comments § |
Thursday, September 29, 2005
As John Rooney would say... "Another White Sox Winner!"
MAGIC NUMBER 1 but it doesn't matter...
CHICAGO WHITE SOX - AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPIONS - 2005
Chicago's victory reduced its magic number to one, clinching a tie for the American League Central title. But even if the Indians were to sweep the three-game set at Jacobs Field this weekend, thus clinching a playoff berth, the White Sox would win the tiebreaker for the AL Central crown with an 11-8 edge in head-to-head play.
The reason the White Sox and Indians wouldn't play a one-game playoff is because, with the Red Sox and Yankees playing each other this weekend, one team would be guaranteed to finish out of the playoffs if the Indians swept the White Sox. And in instances in which two teams from the same division are guaranteed to make the playoffs, MLB does not use a one-game playoff, instead relying on head-to-head records to break the tie.
Alight, this is pretty damn exciting. I feel great. MY team is number one, and the Chicago National League Baseball Club is nowhere to be seen this year. We've taken all the crap you North Siders have dished out, and this particular year you've got nothing. Your team didn't even get to .500. So shut the hell up this year - next year, we're on again. This year - SHUT UP.
However, I will graciously extend my arm to help out anybody willing to jump on the bandwagon to see how far we can ride it this year.
I realize I live in Chicago. I realize we don't have the greatest history when it comes to championships with any professional team in the city. We may get no further than this round. This is OK. Like I said, come 2006 it's "Game On" all over again.
Here's two seemingly opposite stats that bring the whole year in focus as a great start and a sickening slide at the end: Only the 10th team in history to be in first place every day of the season, and the only team in history to have a 15-game lead drop below three games, And we still won it with 3 games to spare.
It sure is nice feeling being on top. Again.
I'm just excited that we get to raise a flag on Opening Day next year. I just wonder what it will say?
(White Sox 4 - Tigers 2 - Boxscore)
read more of this entry »
And as for my little rant above, here's a piece from today's Chicago Tribune:
Q: If a Cubs fan living in Chicago pulls against the White Sox, does it indicate he or she might be mentally unbalanced?
A: "If the teams are not directly competing against each other, the idea of a Cubs fan rooting against the White Sox becomes a little pathological," says Dr. Robert Burton, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Northwestern University. "Technically, it probably stems from some unresolved sibling rivalry kind of thing. Otherwise, you have to wonder what a Cubs fan has to gain by pulling against the White Sox. Not too much, really, unless it's to feel better about himself. If the White Sox lose, then they're both in the doghouse.
"A resolved sibling rivalry would let you enjoy the success of your neighbor, or whomever, and root against each other only when you're going head-to-head. Any kind of sibling rivalry is commonly referred to as arrested development. Then, you get history and other issues layered on top of everything, and it can compound things. I personally pay more attention to whichever team is succeeding."
-- Mike Conklin « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 02:26 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Magic Number 2 1 2Oh, crap... I don't know how my body is going to survive the stress.
One more game against Detroit.
3 final games against our nemesis Cleveland.
Magic Number is reduced with each White Sox win or Cleveland loss.
Magic Number to clinch the division.
Update: Magic numbers are so confusing... If we want to limp-in, the Magic Number is 1.
BUT - If we win tomorrow, and Cleveland wins the rest of 3-game series against them, WE TIE for the AL Central. But then, the White Sox would win the tiebreaker for the American League Central by an 11-8 record in head-to-head competition.
Oh, and let's muddy the water with a coin-toss: If we limp-in with a Wild Card spot, The Sox won a coin toss to host a possible one-game Wild Card playoff contest against either the Yankees or Red Sox on Monday (because the Yankees or the Red Sox are guaranteed 2 losses this weekend - they 're playing a 3-game series against each other)
posted at 09:07 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, September 26, 2005
Wolves 5 - Rivermen 6 - Preseason 
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The training facility is literally just blocks away from our house - how could we not go? Carol and I went to the Hoffman Estates Park District Ice Rinks to watch the first Chicago Wolves pre-season game there. Of the other venues that the Wolves have used, this is probably the smallest seating capacity. But, heck, $6 for a ticket? How about the $1 for a small Coke? You can't pass this up. And it's our first look a the Peoria Rivermen who are new to the AHL this year.
Well, other than 3 guys that I remember from last year, NO ONE ELSE has been on the team before, so it's a little daunting trying to figure out how everyone plays. First thing you notice this year is lack of size. We used to have a bunch of tall guys - not any more. Lots of fights tonight (the teams met for the first time this past Saturday). Play is sloppy, passing is still poor, the power play still doesn't exist.
The more things change the more the stay the same.
Weird watching hockey, especially up-close, when I haven't let go of baseball yet. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:08 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Sunday, September 25, 2005
White Sox 4 - Twins 1
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90 minute rain delay. It really came down. I sat out in the rain - alone - with my rain slicker on, siting in my assigned seat. The tarp on the field was upside-down - I wonder if the sponsor printed on the front didn't re-up for the full season. When the tarp was pulled and the field was readied, the ceremonial first pitch was John Rooney throwing to Ed Farmer. He broadcasted his last home game today after 17 years with the team. This was a great broadcast team - Rooney & Farmer have been rated second behind Vin Scully as best broadcast team (and, obviously first in the AL). And now, after the contract with AM-1000 MVP (The ESPN Flagship station) is over and the broadcasts go to The Score WSCR 670, a MUCH smaller station with a much more powerful signal) Rooney can't get the money he wants, doesn't like the way he Sox treated and leaves the organization (this sounds exactly like any long-time White Sox Player when he hits the end of his contract and the Sox just don't want to pay). I can't imagine what the radio broadcasts will be like without him.
Another screamer of a game - Mark Buehrle worked fast again - the game lasted 1:53.
A very cool thing happened during the game: It was obvious that EVERYONE was doing scoreboard watching. The whole place erupted in cheers, applause, and just all-out noise... just as Buehrle was getting ready to pitch to Luis Rivas, with one out, nobody on base and the White Sox leading, 1-0. Kansas City beat the Indians in the bottom of the 9th (The Indians had won 17 of their last 19 and 38 of their last 50! WE CAN'T SHAKE THEM!). THANK YOU ROYALS! The players had no idea what was going on - neither did the broadcasters. Oh, but we did.
Today was the annual end-of-season Fan Appreciation Day (alas, once again, we weren't appreciated).
But we had to leave the game early... and you know I DON'T leave a game EARLY...
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 05:05 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 24, 2005
White Sox 8 - Twins 1
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Another great night for a ballgame.
And the ceremonial first pitch is tossed out by... Robin Leach? WTF? I guess he's here for some Illinois Lottery thing - there are people dressed-up as lottery balls all over the park causing havoc.
Would you believe a single-season record 18th sellout of the season at U.S. Cellular Field? In a way, I'm ecstatic, in another way, I'm embarrassed - only 18 in a season?
I can feel it - the team is turning around. Yes, it's the Twins that we're playing and we seem to have the number of every team in the AL Central, so maybe the scheduling was good. Maybe by winning we can pull ourselves out of this funk.
And, oh what a way to pull out - a 6-run 3rd inning. Small ball, long ball, smart ball.. I'm going to cheat here and just include a piece from MLB.com on the recap of the inning: Scott Podsednik opened the third with a double to right, followed by Tadahito Iguchi's perfectly placed bunt. It was Iguchi's second of four hits on the night, matching a career high previously set on May 3 against Kansas City. A.J. Pierzynski followed with a run-scoring double, marking his first RBI against his old team in 52 at-bats, and Paul Konerko drove in a second run with a single to right.
Dye capped the rally with a three-run blast to right on a 2-2 pitch from Mays, increasing his home-run lead among all Major League right fielders, and producing his second blast in as many nights. Joe Crede added his 21st home run off Matt Guerrier in the frame, equaling a career high.
After the game, before the fireworks, the Illinois Lottery brought out 20 winners of some contest that -as a second chance to a losing lottery ticket - people won brand new cars (Road to Riches). So 20 cars paraded out onto the track all around the field. (This whole thing was MC'ed by Robin Leach and whoever it is that's in charge of the Lottery... oh, I didn't mention it, but just as I had suspected, Leach can't throw a baseball. That ceremonial first pitch was pretty poor). The cars all stopped and the owners got out. In the trunks were signs that showed how much additional money they had won - up to $25,000. 3 of them had Lottery Logo signs. Those 3 people walked to Center Field and chose one of three huge Scratch-off cards sitting on easels. They were given what looked like a snow/ice scraper to scrape off the covering of the cards. It was obvious from the start that no one at the Lottery actually tested these scratch-off cards. The covering wasn't coming off. After many minutes, the contestants were given what looked like credit cards to try and get a better edge to scrape off the covering. No Dice. Finally, someone gave one of them a bottle opener - probably from the Bullpen Sports Bar. Well, that guy was finally able to scrape off the ticket - and he was the Grand Prize winner. In addition to his car he also won $1 million! The other 2 each won $100,000.
this was supposed to have been the largest single lottery event in the nation (with the dollar amount of the prizes given). It was going fine until the scratch cards (or as we like to call them, the scratch-and-sniff cards). Pretty embarrassing for the Lottery. And then it was time for the final fireworks of the season, but the left the cars on the track until afterward (looked pretty cool if you got one of the Pontiac Crossfire convertibles and you can sit in your brand new car, on the field, and watch the fireworks).
First back-to-back wins for the Sox since Sept. 6-7. Let this nightmare be over! Still only 1½ games ahead of Cleveland (They're relentless! They won't leave us alone!) MAGIC NUMBER: 7 (For the AL Central Championship, 6 just to get into the playoffs)
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, September 23, 2005
Great. Taunt me.
So, guess what came in the mail yesterday.
My playoff and World Series tickets.
I think that stabbing pain I had yesterday (which hasn't gone away, it's just "significantly muted") was to show me what a Cub Fan feels like.
read more of this entry »
Let's look back at August 1st...
The White Sox are solidly in First Place of the AL Central, 15 games ahead of Cleveland, and owners of the best record in all of baseball - 69-35.
This morning, still in first, but only by 1½ games over Cleveland. It's the Sox' smallest lead since April 30. They have a record of 91-61, still best in all of the American League but no longer best in all of baseball. We were the first team to 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 wins. Not to 80 and not to 90. There's 10 games left in the season. Their magic number is 9.
The last three games of the season is against Cleveland. We lost to Minnesota last night. The White Sox have lost 10 of 14. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 08:49 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 11, 2005
White Sox 1 - Angels 6
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Hotter today than yesterday. This time we came better prepared by bringing wet frozen hand towels (in ziploc bags) in Carol's bag the she brings to every game. Can keep drinks cold (or at least much cooler) or use on your face, neck, hands, and head to cool down.
However, we started the day by picking up our friend Janie and having Sunday Brunch at the Stadium Club restaurant. we hadn't had a sit-down meal at the club all season, so we thought we should do that while we could.
Well, the great El Duque - Orlando Herndandez - was crap today. He gave up 4 runs in two innings . He was pulled for our new guy, Brandon McCarthy, whom I like a lot. He lasted 5 2/3 innings and only gave up 2 runs.
Our offense has virtually disappeared. we don't score until the bottom of the 9th, and it was only 1 run.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:45 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 10, 2005
White Sox 5 - Angels 10
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I wasn't ready for the heat and humidity today, and got to the ballpark ill-prepared.
It's a 12:15 game - Fox picked up the broadcast. Was supposed to be a 6pm game, so that's why the place is half empty (but will still have a decent attendence number because they count tickets sold - paid attendance - and how many people really knew about the time change. And here it is - a battle of two first place teams.
Hey! Bill Wennington (former chicago Bull) threw out the first pitch! (But so did Leon Spinx... big contrast there)
If this is a possible post-season matchup, we'rein trouble. The game was a mess. Even though, we're first to score and lead 2-0 through 2, Jon Garland gives up 7 runs in 6 innings. Call-up David Sanders comes in at the top of the 7th. ONE PITCH - Chone Figgins homered to left. FOUR PICHES - Orlando Cabrera walked. Garret Anderson looks at a strike, hits one foul, and on his THIRD PITCH doubled to deep right, scoring Orlando Cabrera. Vladimir Guerrero on frst pitch hit sacrifice fly to center, Garret Anderson scored.
Let's see... 1 + 4 + 3 + 1 = 9 pitches = 3 runs.
Ozzie actually throws in the towel, and starts substituting players (5 of them) during our half of the 7th, and we put 3 more runs on the board.
Not enough.
(Boxscore)
« hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 04:59 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 04, 2005
White Sox 2 - Tigers 0 
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Kind of a funky day - great temp, but cloudy/hazy.
Today was a Kid's Day and, for the first time ever, the starters were not available to sign autographs. (Found out that Ozzie "was trying to give them as much rest as he could given the schedule of the next few days").
The Ameriquest Blimp flew over the park again today (it was here for the whole series - except yesterday. Did Comcast pay for it? It was WGN yesterday...)
Jon Garland threw a complete in game in 2:07, better than Mark Buehrle 's time yesterday, and went to 17-8.
The team needed this series to start to get that winning feeling back. They're doing it with everything - pitching, hitting, defense, long ball, small ball, smart ball.
Saw something new (thanks to the "Grinder Rules" radio commercials): when Scott Podsednik is on base, the crowd starts to chant "Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!". It messes with the pitchers. Works pretty well, too. (Well, except Scotty got a Caught Steeling third).
So, where are we?
No longer the best record in baseball (St. Louis 87-50), but best in the AL at 84-51. Not the First team to reach 80 Wins (St. Louis, again). First Place in the AL Central, 9½ games ahead of Cleveland, 12½ in front of Minnesota. Magic Number? 18 , I believe.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 05:44 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 03, 2005
White Sox 6 - Tigers 2 
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Gorgeous night at the park. Actually, there's a few thousand more people here than I expected (30,509). We have never experienced a night like this with the amount of foul balls that came our way, either right at us or within a section. Unbelievable.
Great effort tonight. Mark Buehrle got his 15th win (I don't think he can make 20 this year), and we had homers by Rowand and Dye.
The most unsettling and unsatisfying thing happened outside the game, when the White Sox announce that broadcaster John Rooney wouldn't be coming back to the broadcast booth after 18 seasons - a SHAME and a GREAT LOSS.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:12 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, August 21, 2005
White Sox 6 - Yankees 2
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A WHITE SOX WINNER!!!
The streak is over!!! (for now, anyway)
What a gorgeous day for baseball - perhaps the best yet. No clouds in the sky, the humidity has dropped from yesterday. Gametime temperature 78 degrees.
No Goodyear Blimp today... so we had a B-1B High speed pass over the park after the National Anthem! (No Thunderbirds today - they actually had a mid-air incident during yesterday's show where two planes touched, dislodging the missile rail on one jet's wing, sending it fluttering (carbon composite?) into Lake Michigan).
We had a pre-game concert by somebody named Michael Tolcher. Odd.
The big deal in this game is the 4th inning against Randy Johnson.
Everything happened so quickly - at least it felt like it. Would you believe 4 home runs in the inning? THREE in a row?
And a few singles, too.
The crowd really let loose. I guess it was just that streak that got to all of us (not to mention the players). It was such a relief. I've included details of the inning below from MLB.com:
Pitch 1 - Foul Bunt
Pitch 2 - Foul
Pitch 3 - Ball
Pitch 4 - Foul
Pitch 5 - Foul
Pitch 6 - In play, out(s) recorded
Pablo Ozuna grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Tino Martinez.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - Ball
Pitch 2 - Ball
Pitch 3 - In play, run-scoring play
Tadahito Iguchi homers (12) on a fly ball to right field.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - Swinging Strike
Pitch 2 - Ball
Pitch 3 - Ball
Pitch 4 - Called Strike
Pitch 5 - Foul
Pitch 6 - In play, run-scoring play
Aaron Rowand homers (11) on a fly ball to right center field.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - Called Strike
Pitch 2 - Swinging Strike
Pitch 3 - In play, run-scoring play
Paul Konerko homers (32) on a fly ball to left field.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - In play, no out recorded
Jermaine Dye singles on a line drive to left fielder Hideki Matsui.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - In play, no out recorded
Juan Uribe singles on a line drive to right fielder Tony Womack. Jermaine Dye to 3rd.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - Pickoff Attempt 1B
Pitch 2 - Pickoff Attempt 1B
Pitch 3 - Ball
Pitch 4 - Swinging Strike
Pitch 5 - Foul
Pitch 6 - In play, run-scoring play
Chris Widger homers (4) on a fly ball to left field. Jermaine Dye scores. Juan Uribe scores.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - In play, out(s) recorded
Brian Anderson pops out to third baseman Alex Rodriguez in foul territory.
------------------------------
Pitch 1 - Ball
Pitch 2 - Ball
Pitch 3 - Ball
Pitch 4 - Called Strike
Pitch 5 - In play, out(s) recorded
Geoff Blum lines out sharply to shortstop Derek Jeter.
------------------------------
"The ball that Widger hit was literally shoulder-high," added Johnson, who had allowed 12 home runs in 116 1/3 previous career innings against the White Sox. "It wasn't meant to be a strike, it wasn't a strike, and had he not hit it, it would have probably gone to the backstop. In the fourth inning, all [heck] broke loose. I don't have an explanation for it."
During all of this, there was a kid is a Kerry Woods Cubs jersey and Yankees hat walking up and down the aisle giving the thumbs down on all of this, trying to shut-up the Sox fans. (like that was going to happen.) As a note: Worst fans at a Sox game: 1) Cub fans 2) Yankees fans. Somehow, the Boston fans seen so much nicer than either of these two groups. At least we can co-exist and have a good time. Not so with Cubs and Yankees fans.
Anyway, here's to hoping that the upcoming 10-game road trip is successful now that the streak is off their backs. We need to turn this around.
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posted at 09:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, August 20, 2005
White Sox 0 - Yankees 5
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SEVEN STRAIGHT LOSSES
SEVEN
The white Sox haven't lost 7 straight all season. They haven't lost 6 straight all season. They haven't lost 5 straight all season.
SEVEN
No one is hitting. No one is running. Pitching is suspect. Defense is falling apart - no one is paying attention, getting in the moment.
They're frustrated.
Even worse - it looks like they're burned out. Best record in Major League Baseball. GONE. 15 game lead? Down to 8½ games. You don't want to get to the end of the season on a slump - you want to "find yourselves" and get the team turned around and start winning again and start on the upward climb as you approach post-season.
Weather was crappy today - 79 degrees but the most humidity we've ever had - almost the most uncomfortable game of the year. I sat down after my usual walks around the park and placed my arms in my lap. A couple of outs later I picked them up and my pants were soaked through where my arms were. Never happened to me before. Weird.
Today was Beatle Tribute Day - the Beatles played at old Comiskey Park 40 years ago today. Good music and tribute bands around the park. After the game, a concert - at Gate 5 - the location of Old Comiskey Park (quite fitting). (Pete Best actually threw out the first pitch.)
Today was also the Chicago Air and Water show. We usually see some planes flying over, but not today - we had the Goodyear Blimp today (Fox 12:15 game) (as well as at last night's game - no idea why) and planes can't fly near here if the blimp is here. Very disappointing.
Just a very disappointing day.
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posted at 04:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Invoice - $995I came home from work today and there it was in my mailbox.
An invoice.
For Post Season tickets.
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Since we're partial season ticket holders, we're not entitled to all of the games - we get all 3 Divisional Series ($55 each), we get 1 ALCS game ($100 each) and 1 World Series game ($185 each), as well as parking for all of the games. Major League Baseball also does not allow the team to honor the season ticket holder seats, so we're in a near or adjacent section. Cost - $995.
I'm happy and giddy and scared all at the same time - I giddy about the possibility of post-season games... but we're playing pretty poorly out there right now. Like we're burned out.
And burned out isn't a good place to be with only 45 games left in the season « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 04:37 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Ted Radcliffe - 1902-2005 
Baseball lost it's oldest player today (103!). I used to see him around the park - he loved going to White Sox games (his retirement center was only a half mile from the park).
Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe was an old Negro League player who got his nickname (from Damon Runyan) from playing a double-header - catching the first game of the double-header and pitching the second game!
A little bit of history is gone from the park. I hope he enjoyed watching this season. I wished he would have seen the whole season this year - including what just may happen this fall.
posted at 03:00 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Stupid Yankee Fan
Carol and I were watching the Sox game tonight when something really bizarre happened.
It was the bottom of the eighth - the Sox were winning against the Yankees in New York.
All of a sudden, you hear the fans get riled-up. The TV crew takes to a shot of - some fan that fell out of the upper deck and is now laying in the net attached to the backstop! Holy crap!
Update: There are reports that the kid jumped. 18-year-old Scott Harper of Armonk, N.Y. told three friends he was sitting with that he was going to test whether the net would hold his weight -- and then he jumped, police said.
Harper was arrested and police expect to charge him with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.
Idiot.
I do like these comments, though:
"I've never seen anything like that before," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I think that's New York, you know, anything can happen."
"That was the only exciting thing that happened today," Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said.
posted at 08:55 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, August 07, 2005
White Sox 3 - Mariners 1 
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I got to the park with less than an hour and a half before gametime - and I was still later than I wanted to be there.
Today was a special day - today is Carton Fisk Tribute Day. The White Sox were unveiling a bronze statue to Carlton Fisk on the outfield concourse (they're building a whole monument area out there over the coming years of all of the players that impacted the franchise - probably specifically the players that have their numbers retired by the team.) I couldn't get a good spot - obviously there are more fans of Pudge than there were of Minnie Minoso's on his day. I wound up standing behind the area. Everything "in front" was taken, even the staircase going up to the Fan Deck was full. So, I walked up to the fence and stood next to... Moose Skowron. The security guys kept coming over, inviting Moose to come "inside" the ceremonial area, and he kept refusing - he forgot his wearable credentials today, he didn't play with him, etc. Eventually, the 6-time All-Star, 5-time World Series winner accepted the invite. Roland Hemond was there - the GM that brought-in Pudge. Jerry Reinsdorf and Kenny Williams (with left arm in a sling after blowing a bicep muscle) were there. Ron Kittle was there (I saw him Friday night at Elvis night, making the rounds around the main concourse. Tom Shaer was the MC of the event - and as the event started, with Carlton and his entire family present (wife, son, two daughters, four grandchildren and parents), teammates Ozzie Guillen, Harold Baines and Greg walker - in uniform for the game - came up to join in the festivities. Then, sneaking in later, Jack McDowell showed-up.
The statue is really good - it's Fisk to a "T". It's really something to see. It's by Chicago artist Lou Cella, who also did the Harry Caray statue outside Wrigley Field, as well as statues for the Detroit Tigers (which is what this area is starting to turn into).
Carlton had a bunch of things to say, things that just seemed very poignant. He referred to joining the team as "back then when I changed my Sox".
Here's a guy who's in the Hall Of Fame, that says:
"This is the most spectacular and significant recognition that I've probably ever had in my whole life"
and
"I wanted to play forever. Now I'm going to stand here forever."
After the ceremony, Pudge threw out the first pitch - to Jack McDowell.
In a totally karmic moment, the Sox won today - it is win 72 of the season - the same as Carton Fisk's uniform number with the White Sox - 72.
In the game - (other than putting-up with the Mascots from the Chicago teams throwing out t-shirts into the crowd between innings) was a SCARY but wonderful catch by Aaron Rowand who hit the centerfield wall at full speed and held on to the ball when he collapsed face forward to the ground.
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posted at 09:51 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, August 06, 2005
White Sox 4 - Mariners 2 
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I picked-up Barry at about 4:30, worked our way around the blocked-streets taken-up by the Northalsted Market Days, and high-tailed it down LSD (Lake Shore Drive for you non-Chicagoans) to the South Side. I was lucky enough to have Barry as my guest to the game tonight (substituting for Carol). I think I enjoy a game with somebody that likes baseball than going alone. And, I swear to God, I didn't know it was Japanese American Night...
We had our traditional "Sausages Around the World" dinner of a Polish (with grilled onions) and a Brat (with sauerkraut) - Barry seemed disappointed that - with the new permanent vending stands - the "top secret sauerkraut drawer" was gone. (A few years ago, when they were using portable carts, when you would ask for a brat with kraut, it was almost as if you were whispering to the vendor "with kraut" because it wasn't anywhere to be seen. The vendor then would open a drawer underneath the grill to access the private stash to put the kraut in the bun.)
Maybe it was that we were paying attention to the game, but we seemed to play better tonight (a homering by Konerko and more stolen bases - 2 by Podsednik and 1 by Iguchi). It was a game of manufactured runs - 4 runs on 4 hits with only 3 walks and only 2 left on base.
We took a quick walk around the park, since Barry hadn't been there in a few years. We stopped on stood in the doorway of Nancy Faust's booth to watch her play the 7th inning stretch (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you go to a game at the park - Nancy always has her door open and there's something timeless yet tinged with potential fear of knowing that someday you may never again experience Take Me Out To The Ball Game played by a stadium organist). I had to show Barry the outfield concourse which has tuned into Party Central on weekends. Here is where the action is - people meet, drink, smoke, and socialize out on the concourse. I've got a feeling that if I was 20-25 years younger and didn't care too much for the game, that's where I would be. Barry commented on how much it smelled like a saloon out there - beer and smoke everywhere.
The fire works were great, as usual and the drive back to Barry's house was a hell of a lot better than this afternoon's drive up the drive to his house.
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posted at 10:19 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, August 05, 2005
White Sox 2 - Mariners 4 
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The annual Elvis Night at U. S. Cellular Field. Starting outside the park, everything is just about the same as every year - impersonators on stages performing to the crowd. The crowd every year is what changes. I'm convinced that this year, everything is just tweaked-up a notch. There just seems like more people are "dressing" the part, whether they went the full jumpsuit approach, with hair and glasses, or just partially participating by wearing the aviator sunglasses with fake sideburns hanging from the frames. There are more kids dressing up, too. You know, 6-9 year olds. Odd. Then there's always the people that - you can just tell - are the real Elvis fans, still basking in the glow of the King, even when the King is fake. Poor Shawn Klush had equipment problems outside and the CD player with his background music kept cutting out.
Inside, the park was a sell-out. It's the 11th Sell-Out of the year - and is a franchise record. I fell embarrassed knowing that 11 sellouts in a year is a franchise record.
The E-Team flew in the flag during the National Anthem (sung by Shawn Klush) and had did their lighted-jump after the game in the dark. The Steppin' Out Dads did their little routines after the game and Shawn Klush headlined the post-game concert and then we had the best Elvis-night fireworks that I've seen.
Didn't win the Sox Split Charity Raffle this year (It was over $6,300) - the dry spell continues to three years.
Somehow, by going to the game alone, I didn't pay attention to the game play itself, and only knew that we lost the game, and it was Freddie Garcia pitching against his old team. Our only 2 runs were solo homeruns by Rowand and Pierzynski.
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posted at 11:46 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Schaumburg FlyersEvery year, Carol's company has an outing to see a Schaumburg Flyers baseball game. Today, it was another one of those days that we've been having - 90's, high humidity. Not conducive to watching a baseball game (an Independence League baseball game at that). Just as Carol was stepping out of the shower to get dressed tonight (she's still on "vacation") a thunderstorm moved through and the heavens opened-up. It was obvious it was one of those localized storms, or it could have been a remnant of a front that - what seems to be a daily occurrence - pushes through the region but as soon as it hits the Chicago area, it just breaks apart - never producing any lasting rain. I wanted to meet some of her new coworkers, so, admittedly, I coerced Carol into going tonight.
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By the time we left the house, the rain had stopped. We got a beach towel for being one of the first 2,000 guests to the park tonight. It came in quote handy during the evening. The annual outing always starts in the picnic area beyond left field, where large dining tents are setup, and tables of hot dogs, hamburgers and pulled-pork await. (the dog was OK, the burger was dry, and the pulled pork was great - if you ate it without a bun, otherwise it was a bit dry... maybe the buns were just sucking the life out of the meats...).
The skies opened-up again while we were dining, complete with wind, so everyone huddled in the center tables in the tents to keep away from the rain.
The rain stopped right before game time, so we went to our seats. The stadium is small, but clean and very well kept.
The game was a blur. I hadn't heard of anybody on these teams and the level of play was pretty poor. I was pretty damn uncomfortable in the seats (there slightly smaller than what I'm used to at Comiskey) and I just needed to get up and walk around - frequently. My legs were twitching - and now something new is manifesting itself - one of my legs starts to go a little numb if I can't get in a comfortable position.
Well, that's it. I couldn't take it any more. We left in the 6th - I couldn't tell you how the game ended. Sort of don't care either. Nice park, great seat location, bad seat construction and just an uncomfortable evening. carol didn't want to go in the first place, so there was no need to talk her into leaving - she almost lept out of her seat to leave. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:18 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Sunday, July 24, 2005
White Sox 6 - Red Sox 4
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GAME TIME TEMPERATURE: 100 DEGREES
37,168 showed-up on a day that the mercury hit 102 degrees.
As for us - we IMMMDIATELY headed for the Stadium Club and got seats along the upper rail.
I can't tell you much about the game - Gary called the final score before the first pitch as Sox winning 9-2 and we totally dismissed him. He was a lot closer than we thought he was.
During the game I went out onto the outfield concourse to see what was going on. The sun was unbearable. I saw two different triage areas being run by medical staffs that had people holding 25lbs bags of ice on there heads while sitting on chairs as the await wheelchairs to get themselves hauled out to someplace to cool down. The line for the Rain Room was the longest I have ever seen, and it was slow moving as no one wanted to leave the cold water.
New Magic Number: 53.
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posted at 10:32 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 23, 2005
White Sox 0 - Red Sox 3
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We somehow dodged still another horrendous weather day by getting the tail of a storm come through before the game/ It never made the 90's today because of the cloud cover - game time was 81 degrees.
Tough, tough game. El Duque actually pitched OK. Orlando Hernandez had 2 runs and 4 hits in 6 2/3 innings, with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts...
Second base umpire Paul Nauert blew 2 obvious calls for the White Sox. When you see calls like this, you can't help but wonder if this guy was paid-off.
This is showing the character if the team - we're coming-up short on offense, the pitching has been... adequate. We've lost 3 games in our leas against the 2nd place Twins, and are now not 13 games ahead but 10 (whoops 10 1/2, the Twins split a bouble-header today). New Magic Number: 54.
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posted at 10:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, July 18, 2005
Magic Number61
I don't get it. The Chicago Tribune is posting the Magic Number for the Chicago White Sox. It's just days after the All-Star Game. This is Chicago. Nobody goes out on a limb like this when it comes to sports teams in town.
But here we are - the Sox still have the best record in all of baseball, again the first team to 60 wins. As of this morning, they're 12 games ahead of the 2nd place team (Twins). I'm not expecting to retain the "best record in baseball" title much longer - the St. Louis Cardinals are just 2 games behind in the win column and they have been stronger than the Sox.
And now the media have started noticing the local team that's actually in First Place and I'm getting that "jinxed" feeling, when you don't say certain things even when they're right in front of you, so you don't jinx the situation and have it change.
And there it is - Magic Number 61 - the number of White Sox wins and 2nd place team losses needed to win the division.
It's only July and they're calculating and publishing a Magic Number.
Scary.
posted at 05:22 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
ASGAfter actually attending the All-Star Game in my own hometown, watching the game on TV SUCKS. There are a lot of ceremonies that aren't televised. Hell, they don't even broadcast the Canadian National Anthem anymore! And who threw out the ceremonial first pitch? Don't know - wasn't broadcast. Too many friggin' commercials to run so you don't see anything. Then, when the game is on, there's not enough attention paid to the game. Example - when Kenny Rogers ended his stint on the mound, they interviewed him in the dugout - and never mentioned who the hell was at the plate. Here's a guy, maybe his first time to the All Star Game, who is up to bat and strikes out and the TV crew never says a word on who the person was - it was all about Kenny Rogers, why he was at the game, what he thinks of the crowd reaction... They even screwed up some of the graphics - Early in the game, Fox showed a graphic of the "defensive alignment" of the American League starters. Everyone was there EXCEPT White Sox starting pitcher Mark Buehrle - who was replaced with Chris Carpenter, the starting pitcher for the National League. The audio sucked all night. The little "lipstick" cameras mounted in the ground are cool and give you a different perspective on the game, but they were really dark and almost useless.
I'm jaded. I just didn't enjoy the coverage, In fact - I turned it off more than halfway through the game. I didn't care that I hadn't yet seen 3 of the 4 White Sox players that were there.
(Boxscore)
posted at 10:29 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Sunday, July 10, 2005
White Sox 8 - Athletics 9 (11 innings) 
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Another hot, sunny one.
It was a battle all game, though. We actually had a lead... once.
Man, Oakland has our number. I just wanted the game to be over. and they swept us. It just seamed like a struggle every single damn game and going into the All Star Break with a 3-game loosing streak can't be good. The real pressure is coming up. All of September are division opponents. It's when we hit Boston and New York in August that it'll really show where we are.
I hope we don't fade.
But here we are - we STILL have the best record in all of baseball (been that way all first half), and we're still in First Place, nine games ahead of the Twins.
Nice place to be - how long can we stay?
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posted at 10:39 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 09, 2005
White Sox 1 - Athletics 10 
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audblog audio post
So, yes, I was in the booth with organist Nancy Faust for the 7th Inning Stretch! She actually invited me in when I was standing outside, just watching!
What an absolutely gorgeous night for baseball. Unfortunately, we have a team that really has our number - the Oakland Athletics. Our two All Star Pitchers - Garland and Buehrle couldn't do a thing to stop[ them, and we couldn't do a thing against their pitching.
This might just turn into a suck-it-up and move on type of weekend series.
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posted at 10:06 PM | Link | White Sox | 2 comments § |
Sunday, June 26, 2005
White Sox 0 - Cubs 2 
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Hotter today than yesterday. In the sun longer, too.
This much I will say: pitchers' duel. It was a great display.
Other than that, THANK GOD THIS IS OVER and we can concentrate on teams that matter.
Hated - absolutely hated - all of those fans that don't know where the hell they're driving going to the parks, don't know where their walking along the concourse, and don't know when to shut the hell up.
We still have the best record in baseball.
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posted at 07:15 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 25, 2005
White Sox 2 - Cubs 6 
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We prepared for the worst weather-wise, but even though it was in the 90's, there was a breeze directly off the lake, allowing us to survive the afternoon from the weather.
We were talking to Victor before the game, and we had all come to the same conclusion. We hate going to these games. We hate the people that show up. We hate the Cub fans at the Cell. We're better off selling our tickets and watching the game in the comfort and safety of our homes.
Jose Contreras sucks and sucked. Gave up a grand slam in the 1st and that just tainted the whole damn game from there. I mean, he hit 3 batters, had 2 wild pitches, 105 pitches - 61 were strikes. He was just all over the place. Carl Everett and Jermaine Dye had back to back homers. Whoopee.
So much for that winning streak, dead after 8 games straight.
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posted at 07:12 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, June 24, 2005
HedgingLet me go on the record here, before anything gets started this weekend.
It has nothing to do with NextFest at Navy Pier, or the wonderful gastronomical Taste Of Chicago that kicks off today.
No, it has to do with baseball, interleague play, and the damn Cubs-Sox series.
I hate this event. Just hate it. I just can't stand the people that show up at the park, get plastered, and start shouting asinine comments at people and just looking for a damn fight. It's both sides of the aisle, both sides are guilty. I just hate the environment. Makes it quite difficult to try and enjoy the game.
We're in the middle of a pretty damn intense heat wave. Temps today are supposed to be around 96, with a Heat Index of 105.
Things happen in an environment like that.
Now, that being said, I don't have a good feeling about the outcome of these games either.
The Sox start the series 9 1/2 games in First Place in the AL Central, with a record of 49-22, the best in all of baseball.
Means nothing in this series. It's all about the outcome of these three games. And even though we lead the series 2-1 so far, I'm not sure we''ll come out winning this series. There's something in the back of my head that feels we can't do it right now. We've won the last 7 games - can we continue it? It seems like a longshot to come out on top for the weekend.
I don't know, it's just a feeling.
That's it. Go about your business.
UPDATE: Score of today's game: Sox 12 - Cubs 2
posted at 08:52 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, June 19, 2005
White Sox 4 - Dodgers 3 
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This game had failure written all over it before it even started. Let's see, ESPN National Game. Bad news - Sox don't do well on National TV. Game 3 of the series that we're winning 2-0 - Sox don't sweep. They just never seem to get there. Jose Contreras pitching - catcher A.J. Pierzynski has said that sometime even he doesn't know what Contreras is going to throw.
The crowd was down from yesterday - 27,350 - but it's probably because it's Sunday Night instead of a day game, like normal. But they were really into the game. This series has just been exciting - and it just doesn't seem we're out of it.
It was the 21st White Sox comeback victory this season along with the club's fifth three-game sweep. Cliff Politte - a reliever - is now 5-0! And Dustin Hermanson closed - something we haven't seen in well over a week - for his 16th save.
And here it is - 23 days away from the All-Star Game, and we're 7 1/2 games in First Place, with still the best record in all of baseball (46-22).
It was a wonderful, electrifying experience to be at these games.
And yet, after all that, I still don't have a good feeling about the games this weekend against the Cubs...
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posted at 11:34 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 18, 2005
White Sox 5 - Dodgers 3 
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Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap, holy crap... I haven't felt this alive and this excited at a ballgame in a long, long time...
Today was "Turn Back The Clock" day for the Sox, as we "re-live" the 1959 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. They have not been back to Comiskey Park since the World Series (OK, it's not the same Comiskey Park, and the new place is not even called Comiskey Park anymore...)
Before the game they introduced 10 players from the 1959 team (hardly any first-stringers - I don't think they're alive or ambulatory).
The Sox wore 1959-style uniforms. This is my favorite uniform of this team. (Yes, they've had 51 different uniforms since 1901). These were cream-colored pinstripes. The Sox logo in the chest actually was piped in red. So were the numbers. I remember having a Sox uniform when I was a kid. It was so cool. I remember wearing it one night to Comiskey to see a twi-night doubleheader (I think it was against the Athletics... the Kansas City Athletics).
So, the team tonight wore the bulky, wool uniforms, and showing respect for the uni, they all bloused their trousers so you could see their socks. Cool look.
During the game, all of the graphics on the scoreboard were done in the same colors and typeface of the programs and scorecards from 1959. Again, a good touch. They even played a song that was popular at that time (Let's Go Go Go White Sox! by Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers).
No matter what, I cannot do justice writing about what it was like to be at this game tonight.
First off, Freddie Garcia threw 40 pitches in the first inning. I hate seeing stuff like that.
We were losing 3-1 in the bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, with only 3 hits under our belt. We get 2 runs on a walk, some good baserunning and a few hits. The game is tied. Then, with a 3-2 count on him, A.J. Pierzynski homers and we win 5-3.
The place went up all 36,067 of them. The team went nuts. It was loud, It was electric. I can not describe the feeling and do it justice. I can't. It felt like a playoff... or even better. It was wild. People were actually singing that damn Let's Go Go Go White Sox song. Everyone is pumped.
Wow.
Electric.
(Boxscore)
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posted at 10:16 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Monday, June 13, 2005
Well, THAT'S over...
We would have been going to Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals tonight.
Would have.
The Philadelphia Phantoms swept the Wolves, 4-games-to-0 last Friday, in front of 20,103 fans, the largest crowd in American Hockey League playoff history. Chicago (12-6) was swept for just the third time in its 11-year postseason history. The Wolves, who lost by more than one goal for the first time this postseason, managed just four goals in the four games, the fewest in a four-game playoff series in franchise history.
Sad, very sad. I mean, the Wolves had to be made of something to claw their way to the top of the West Conference, only to be handily swept in the finals. They were significantly outplayed. It was like there was a totally different team out there for the finals.
So, on the plus side, the Wolves have been in the playoffs every single year of their 11 year existence. They've been to the finals in 5 of those 11 (.450!) and have won 3 of them. That, my friends, is not a shabby performance for the franchise.
It was just shabby this series.
*sigh*
posted at 08:27 AM | Link | Wolves § |
Friday, June 10, 2005
Cubs-Red Sox SpinAll I've been hearing in the local media is this damn Cubs homestand against the Red Sox, and how they haven't met since the fateful 1918 World Series (a nice summary is at The SportingNews). Well, I'm taking solace in the fact that, yes, they haven't met since then, but the Red Sox have never played in Wrigley Field. Huh? Why? How? Well, during the 1918 World Series, the Cubs management decided to play their home games some place that had more seating capacity - Comiskey Park!
Update: Cubs take the series 2-1, loosing the Sunday Night ESPN game 8-1.
posted at 08:41 AM | Link | Baseball § |
Sunday, June 05, 2005
White Sox 4 - Indians 6 (12 innings) 
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Seems like every time I write about going to a baseball game, I'm complaining about the weather. Guess what? Yes, I'm complaining again. It's like I'm never satisfied. Today it's because it's sunny, upper 80's (normally, I wouldn't complain about that one iota) but excessive humidity. Oppressive humidity. The kind that sucks the breath, and yea, even the life out of you. My body doesn't tolerate this mix very well at all. Walking up the stairs to the concourse from our seats leaves me light-headed and weak-kneed. The high humidity - high temperature in front of a cold front coming through is stirring-up the atmosphere. Though it never really "rained" at the park, there were tornado warnings south of us.
We were hoping that Mark Buehrle would have one of his usual quick games. Yes, that would make everything right.
Wrong. He gave up 3 runs over 6 and a third. The game got real sluggish (maybe it was just me getting sluggish). Anyway, Tadahito Iguchi - after absolutely screwing-up a double play possibility in the 4th by touching 2nd and running-off the field, only to have made Out Number 2 and not 3 to end the inning - hit a 2-run homer in the 7th and tied the game. Considering the double-overtime last night, and the fact that Carol hasn't felt good since Thursday, and I was feeling funky from the heat, we left in the 8th. The game went 12 innings and we lost, thank you normally solid Dustin Hermanson, walking 2 and getting a throwing error to let the winning run in.
Hey - Frank Thomas FINALLY got productive with his first home run in the 10th. It didn't help - that just tied it up again (we were down one at the time).
We still left 11 on base.
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posted at 06:25 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Wolves 1 - Phantoms 2 - (2OT)- CALDER CUP FINAL Game 2 
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TWO OVERTIME PERIODS...
The First Period looked like Thursday night. Bad blood, dirty hits, no scoring. We scored first in the 2nd, but Philly scored 10 minutes later. Then, in the 3rd, the whole tempo changed. We stayed in their zone, we pressured them the entire time. I started feeling better about our chances. Then came the overtime... and it was much of the same. Hardly any penalties at all, the time flew. We outshot them 14 to 2, keeping up the pressure. Then came the 2nd overtime, and we lost 3:50 into the period.
Now we're down 0-2 going to Philadelphia.
I have this bad, sinking feeling that we've seen the last of hockey this season.
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posted at 10:38 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Wolves 0 - Phantoms 1 - CALDER CUP FINAL Game 1 
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When it comes to professional hockey this season, The Calder Cup becomes the most important trophy. Without the NHL, without the Stanley Cup, THIS series is the be-all and end-all of hockey this year.
And we're in it.
It was a WONDERFUL 1st period - high intensity, lots of shooting. The the 2nd period rolled around and some other team replaced the Wolves on the ice. They looked... rusty? Tired? Confused? Out played? Yes, all of the above.
Lots of chippy plays. Going to be intense. I don't like losing the first game. At home. In fact, I'm concerned.
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posted at 10:27 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Monday, May 30, 2005
White Sox 5 - Angels 4
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Today was actually a gorgeous day - sunny, not a cloud in the sky, temp s just under 70 degrees. Before the game, there was a video tribute to former White Sox shortstop Chico Carrasquel who died this past week. They played the Venezuelan National Anthem (which feels a lot longer than ours). The Great Lakes Naval Band played our National Anthem, and then Challenger - a bald eagle - flew into the stadium and landed on his handler who was standing on the pitching mound. It turns out, we saw challenger before the game just flying around the park. We thought it was a hawk at first, but it just didn't look right. It was bigger.
Today marked the return of Frank Thomas, who hasn't played since last July. He went 0-for-2 and got hurt - strained hip flexor. I didn't feel he was ready to come back - now I'm positive. He's not helping the team.
Mark Buerhle pitched a decent game, all the way into the 9th. Unfortunately, Damaso Marte came in, blew a save opportunity, blew the lead. I really didn't think we'd get out of it. But we did. And we NEEDED it.
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posted at 07:32 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Wolves 4 - Moose 3 - Western Conference Final Game 1posted at 10:30 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Sunday, May 15, 2005
White Sox 2 - Orioles 6
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It was a cold, blustery day today, so it was another game in the Stadium Club.
The White Sox's streak of consecutive games led ended at 37. Now, granted, I had never heard of this stat before this season, but it was a cool one.
100 pitches for Jose Contreras, but he gets the loss and is 1-1 (great record, eh?).
Snakebit? I'll tell you how our mojo was going during the game:
Jay Gibbons hits a screamer right down the Right Field line. It never makes it to the wall - a SECURITY GUY picks up the ball. THE SECURITY GUY, not some drunk or out-of-touch fan, reaching over the rail. NO. It had to be THE GUY THAT STOPS THE OTHER PEOPLE FROM TOUCHING THE BALL OR GOING ON THE FIELD. Did HE get thrown out? Oh, no. He sat on his little stool - facing away from the plate - for the rest of the game.
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posted at 09:34 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 14, 2005
White Sox 6 - Orioles 9
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Well, I knew the Baltimore Orioles were going to be a good test to see how we're doing. They've got the second-best record in baseball, behind us.
We get 6 runs and that's not enough? Pitching, my friends. Pitching. The entire staff still isn't doing well. Freddie Garcia is now 3-3 - what the hell was he still doing in the game at 112 pitches? Giving up 7 earned runs with 2 homers, that's what. TOO LONG. You can't keep him in that long yet. I thought Ozzie was going to keep a tight rein on him?
Pretty windy tonight - gusts up to 31 mph, so it's a bit uncomfortable.
Actually went to customer service tonight to file a compliment, not a complaint. Why? We always purchase parking coupons with our season tickets. It's just easier and more convenient. I've always felt, though, by purchasing these coupons that you should get some sort of preferential treatment somehow. Like, maybe, and entire lot that is coupon only - no cash, and it would be right next to the park. Since it was going to be almost a sellout, we got to the park just a few minutes earlier than usual. We noticed that "our lot" (Lot E) was only half-full, but there were no cars pulling in. When we got to the gate, we found out what was going on - they were accepting coupons only! Yes! This is the way it should be!
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posted at 10:17 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, May 13, 2005
Wolves 4 - Mighty Ducks 1 - West Division Final Game 5 
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And we win the West Division on go on to the Western Conference Final!
It was a tense game. The energy was way up in the 1st, but we weren't getting anywhere. We were shooting and came up empty. Derek McKenzie had 3 shots on goal in about 5 seconds, all accurate, 1 going off the post and still nothing. The Ducks scored in the 2nd and it looked like we weren't going to get out of this. We finally tied it up 7 minutes into the third and the crowd went nuts. We get the game winner 3:47 left in the 3rd! THEN the crowd went nuttier. The Ducks pull their goalie to try to come back and the Wolves made sure they won with an empty-netter with 23 seconds left.
Then came something that felt embarrassing - the Ducks pulled their goalie again and we scored again with only 4 seconds left.
We didn't really need to do that. It almost felt like the Wolves just took the Duck's heads and shoved their noses in it with that last goal. It's almost like the Wolves woke up and just had to retaliate for not sweeping them earlier in the week. Really, really odd feeling.
Then again - why pull your goalie? Did you really think you can get back into the game?
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posted at 10:59 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Wolves 2 - Mighty Ducks 1 - West Division Final Game 2 
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Playoff hockey - ya gotta love it.
The teams were just going back and forth all night. Really chippy - lots of checks, lots of just poking and grabbing. No fights tonight, though. In fact, our buddy was only in the box once about 5 minutes into the first. Of course, he was causing hovoc on the ice.
We finally won the game with only 44 seconds left, when Krazy Karl Stewart gingerly tipped-in a pass from his knees. You would have thought it was the Cup finals with the way the crowd (6,017) went nuts.
There was a busload of Cincinnati fans that we only really heard once after they scored. The were actually shocked into silence with the game winning goal.
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posted at 11:10 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Sox Yard Sale 
Time for my annual commute to the White Sox Yard Sale (formerly Garage Sale) at U.S. Cellular Field. Again, this year it was held in the Patio area while Family Day was held out on the field itself, where the outfield was covered with families running around playing catch. How cool it is to watch these families - dads and sons and daughters just playing catch in the outfield of a major league ballpark. It really is special. Sort of a weird passing of the torch, inspiring the young ones to get involved in baseball.
Anyway, there weren't many racks of game-worn jerseys this year - I think there was only 3 or 4. The "deals" in jerseys would be the most recently traded or released players - this year, that would be Carlos Lee and Jose Valentin - both players had at least half a dozen jerseys on the rack that went quickly. This year, I picked up a jacket for Carol (a gray "Away-Style" version) and one for me (the standard black "Home-Style" version). at $75 each, they were a steal. I can't find any ID in Carol's jacket, but I found a "46" in mine - I guess that would be Neal Cotts.
Good turnout. I don't know why people buy player's hats. Just don't want to wear something that sweaty. And bats? Most of them were cracked, but some were still in good shape. Had some catchers gear, too. Actually the best deal is the Media Guides from all of the MLB teams for 25 cents each.
Odd things? Bricks from old Comiskey, Parking Lot signs, and very worn On-Deck circles (pads).
posted at 11:13 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Wolves 5 - Mighty Ducks 2 - West Division Final Game 1 
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We had a lot of discussions before the game - who would we prefer to meet this round: Milwaukee or Cincinnati? We've had problems with both teams during the season, but it's obvious to us that Milwaukee was folding, in more ways than one. Even though they had a very good start, they hadn't been playing well recently. There's also the many rumors going around that the team itself was going to fold - if we heard this correctly, ownership had changed hands a year or two due to a death, and the new owners (the children?) aren't interested in continuing. If true, it had to affect the team. If not true, it still may have affected them.
So, anyway, here we are facing the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. The highlight to look forward to? Our buddy, Zenon Konopka. I still remember the first time we met him on the Utah Grizzlies, but it's nice seeing him with everybody else on Cincy. This meant that we had some fodder for our taunts.
And taunt we did, from the puck drop in the 1st. He was in the Penalty Box in the 2nd. He obviously remembers us. We have a tendency to ratchet-up the taunts when the player starts to act interact. Well, Zenon did and it was like we were getting to him. After his 2-minutes were up, as soon as he stepped onto the ice, we scored (OK, it was one second after his time was up). The entire place laid into him from then on. In the 3rd, while he was in the box for an Unsportsmanlike, we scored again. On the way out, he yelled to us that he was going to score one now. Never did. In fact, I think the coach sat him out a few lines at the end. Guess we did get to him.
Their first goalie - Ilya Bryzgalov gave up 3 goals and was replaced with our former goalie Freddie Cassivi 5 and ahlf minutes into the 2nd. Bryzgalov would drop really quick, and for some reason the 5-Hole would just open-up everytime he went down.
There was some pretty good fights - not big, but very intense. this could be a really dicey series.
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posted at 10:47 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Sunday, May 01, 2005
White Sox 8 - Tigers 0 
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Jon Garland - first pitcher this year to 5 wins (5-0), second straight shutout (first time for a White Sox pitcher since Jack McDowell in 1991), 23 consecutive scoreless innings. WHO IS THIS GUY?
It was too cold to watch from our seats (47 degrees, winds 16mph), so we spent the game on the glass in the Stadium Club.
The team held a lead for the 25th straight game to begin the season, tying a Major League record set by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955. Oh, and in those 25 games, the Sox have had 12 batters hit by pitches (some of the batters still haven't returned to the lineup because of their injuries), 8 times in the last 9 games, 4 times in just the last 3 games. Wilfredo Ledezma (1-2) hit Paul Konerko in the third, so Jon Garland threw behind Rondell White's head in the forth, and both benches emptied, but nothing eventually happened.
Now, I have to tell you, I missed a few innings of the game. I went downstairs to grab a bottle of water and see how bad it was downstairs. I walked off the Stadium Club elevator and walked up to the doors to walk out onto the main stadium concourse. They are glass doors with a large "button" the width of the door and about 6 inches wide that you push like a crash-bar to open the door. Instead, I mashed the button...
... but my right index finger had found out that the plastic end cap that covers the end of this large "button" was missing, so my finger slid inside this thing just as I mashed it open...
After hitting the door with my head, sending my White Sox cap flying, I screamed in pain and pulled my finger out of the now open door mechanism. I was in excruciating pain... but there wasn't any blood. I had just slammed the finger tip pretty bad. So, instead of a quick trip for a bottle of water, I went to the First Aid station under the stands to get a bag of ice and just have it checked-out to make sure I didn't do anything really bad. The fingernail is all purple and is real sensitive to the touch, not helped at all by the bag of ice (except to keep down the swelling).
But, the boys won the game and are now 18-7, still the best record in all of baseball.
I don't know how long this will last, but I'm enjoying every minute of it while I can!
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posted at 05:35 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Saturday, April 30, 2005
White Sox 4 - Tigers 3 
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We're back to seasonable weather, with the gametime temperature at 5 degrees. It's the first game where Carol got cold (me - not so much, but it wasn't pleasant). It was also "Motown Night", which, quite frankly, was a bust. I was expecting something like Elvis night, but it not even close.
The Sox had bee non a 3-game losing streak. Last night, against the same club, we left 16 runners on base! Tonight's start looked like it was going to be another of those nights. El Duque had thrown 49 pitches in the first 2 innings. I never thought that game was going to end at that point (it lasted 2:50). We struggled, did the whole "small ball" thing, and actually won another one-run game. LOB tonight: 6. 30,189 saw the game - better than the 18,313 last night that for some reason was headline news in the paper for lack of fans showing-up for the return to town of the first place team.
Guy I'm liking right now? Dustin Hermanson. Guy I'm not happy with right now? Jermaine Dye.
Fireworks? - standard.
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posted at 10:33 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
That's more like I'm used to...A strong start, a blown lead, 2 hit batsmen, a battle back, let them in a bit, somebody that played shortstop who never played there in their career, and a loss, with 14 hits 3 errors.
Yeah, that's more like it...
posted at 06:55 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
First time in how long?The White Sox are scaring me. Still on the best start ever - 16-4, 8 straight wins, they're 10-2 on the road, and they're on the West Coast which - historically - has killed us (Oakland won seven of nine against the White Sox last season). And last night was against Barry Zito and we still get a win. Not only that, our catcher (Chris Widger) - who played last season with the Camden Riversharks in the independent Atlantic League before he showed-up at spring training as a non-roster invitee - gets his first homerun in the majors since April 9, 2000!!! (A.J. Pierzynski was able to get the ball from the fan to give to Widger.)
posted at 07:06 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Best start ever?This is getting pretty dam scary... The White Sox improved to 14-4, the best 18-game start to a season in their 104-year franchise history. Almost all of these games are against AL Central rivals.
I'm just happy having them win each series they're in.
posted at 08:03 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Wolves 1 - Aeros 2 (Overtime) - West Division Semifinal Game 2 
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Sucked.
The game sucked. The Wolves played tentatively and never appeared as aggressive as the other night. Carol said that "they looked scared". I don't think scared is the correct word, but they sure weren't playing with the same intensity. You could see it by the number of shots. They were always on the defense and just couldn't get it together.
Referee Wes McCauley called an extremely uneven game, which didn't help matters much. There was more than one occasion when I felt the McCauley had to call a penalty, because it was a bit too blatant to let it go, even tough there were other infractions that were close to be as blatant and he never even verbally warned the players. He was terrible. He was taking a beating from the fans who thought he wasn't calling anything, but quite a few hits were clean, though they looked bad. But if a playing just touched an opposer's stick, he would call a "holding the stick" without hesitation. He just wasn't consistent - made you wonder if he got a talking to before the game... a more cynical person would even question if money changed hands, that's how uneven the calls were.
Don't get me wrong - the players lost the game, but score an assist to McCauley.
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posted at 10:14 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Wolves 4 - Aeros 1 - West Division Semifinal Game 1 
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We're at the wonderful time of the year is sports in Chicago that is the most embarrassing.
Chicago is not known as a Championship town - EXCEPT for this team, the Chicago Wolves. This is only the 11th season that the team has been in existence, and this is the 11th straight post-season appearances for the team. Not very many teams anywhere can say that they have NEVER missed the post-season. In those prior 10 seasons, the Wolves have won the league championship (IHL - Turner Cup, AHL - Calder Cup) three times.
You would think that in a town that has had a drought of championships in baseball, football, most recently basketball, and even professional hockey, that people would be clamoring to get tickets for playoff games.
Tonight's attendance: 2,411
The sorry thing is - that's pretty much average for a weekday playoff game for the Wolves. We've been at games that the attendance was half that. I don't get it.
Anyway, good, hard fought game that referee Scott Hoberg let get way out of control, winding up with mêlée's throughout the third peroid.
This could be a big mess going forward.
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posted at 10:30 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Sunday, April 17, 2005
White Sox 4 - Mariners 5 
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One of the best promotional days around in all of baseball - Dog Day!
After so many years, we've got somebody we know in the parade! It's Janie & Gary with their Dalmatian (mix) Tallie. Janie made an outfit for her - except it was camouflaged! It was a spotted hide material with a big Sox logo on the back, but the black & white spots really blended-in well. The parade was really long again - the dogs were still on the field during the National Anthem.
And what a gorgeous day - 74 degrees at gametime, just a slight breeze. Sunny. This is April baseball in Chicago?????
Forget about the game itself. We didn't get a sweep, which I think is just asking way too much from a team at this point in the season. In fact, why do we need sweeps? (OK, sweeps other than the Cubs?) If you continually win each series, who needs a sweep?
Anyway - Freddy Garcia is 9-0 in day games. Not any more. But, you know, the team was never out of it - one of the best aspects of the team this year. They never quit. But then again, it's "early".
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posted at 05:55 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Wolves 5 - Grizzlies 1 - Final Game of the Regular Season 
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AHL WEST DIVISION CHAMPIONS
The regular season is over. Playoffs start Tuesday. 15,277 people packed the place so damn tight it was hard to move around. Then again, it was a Fan Appreciation day and the Dog Adoption day, and Shirt of Their Back day... too many damn things scheduled at once. To top it off, hardly any of our extended family was there, so it felt odd ending the season with hardly any of our friends.
It's a long day - baseball in the afternoon, hockey at night...
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posted at 10:39 PM | Link | Wolves § |
White Sox 2 - Mariners 1 
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99 MINUTES
That was the length on today's game!
Mark Buehrle pitched a complete game (his 16th in his career), giving up only 3 hits (and one run) with 12 strikeouts. I know people thought the game was boring, but damn it was quick and and there was some great pitching. Paul Konerko had two homeruns and now leads the league with 6. (This could become a problem, though - he's 5-for-29 in his last at-bats, with all five hits coming on home runs.)
It was our first game back with our season tickets. Everybody was back in their places - except us who moved-up 2 rows. Victor & Michelle and Chloe were back with a surprise - Michelle is pregnant! (due in October).
I guess E.R. was shooting in town again - because Noah Wyle threw out the first pitch!
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posted at 05:53 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, April 04, 2005
OPENING DAY - White Sox 1 - Indians 0 
YES!!!! It's Opening Day!!!! All is right with the world!!!
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There's always great anticipation going to the park for the first time in a season, especially TPFKAC™, now known As U.S.Cellular Field.
Outside, the parking lots are jammed with people tailgating before the gates open. Near the gates, there are bands playing. A great festive atmosphere. Inside the park, it still has that same familiar feel, but things are changing. The biggest noticeable change is the huge multistory Fundamentals kids training facility in left field. Unfortunately, I couldn't go in to check it out - an adult needs to be escorted by a kid! Now, I don't have a kid to bring to the place, but I'm all for the rule - it'll help keep the rowdy drunks out of there during a game and spoiling it for the kids.
The next change is the new seating area behind the plate called "Scout Seats" (sponsored by United). These are large upholstered seats with small side tables that cost at least $190 for the privilege to sit in. I wrote about this last year. The area looks gorgeous. Around the Scout Seats, where they had to pour new concrete for the area, they replaced some of the old "pool blue" seats with brand new green seats. YESSSSSS!!!!!! The park is turning green!!!! But, it was a clear case of "be careful of what you wish for..." as I decided to sit one for a test drive... they're narrower! Bastards! There's another small problem around the Scout Seats - the new concrete has stairs of differing heights, which is going to make for some bad navigating by drunken fans. Anyway, the entire Club level has the new green seats, this patchy area around the Scout Seats, and they replaced the bleachers in left-center with green bleachers.
The Weather - for the season opener being at home for the first time in a long time - was really quite pleasant - sunny and 64 degrees. Our seats were in the 10th row, way down the 1st base line. In fact, we were sitting one section closer to the plate than when we first go our season tickets almost 10 years ago. We've only moved 6 sections, but there's a big difference in visibility.
The game itself was a bit boring, if you mean a pitcher duel as both teams only had 2 hits each up until the 7th. Mark Buehrle pitched a good game - and quick, as usual: 1:51. The attendance was a sell-out - 38,141 - but I really don't have a clue any more on what capacity is for this place (they've made so many seating changes to it, it's hard to tell... I'm going to have to look it up in the Media Guide. The only other problem: anarchy in the men's rest rooms. Lines for the women's rest rooms? Non-existent. The men's? Long. Brutal. People giving up and going in the exit door, screwing it up for the rest of us. Bring back the trough!
After the game we had dinner at Janie & Gary's condo.
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posted at 09:08 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Wolves 3 - Griffins 4 
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Nah, not going to happen tonight. The place is packed - 15,342 - and the fans are into it, but something's wrong with the boys. They got outplayed at a time when they didn't need a bad showing.
Four unanswered goals. I think that just about summarizes it. Oh, and we outshot them 45-27. Not our night.
The St. Patrick's Jersey auction ended tonight - looks like all of the jerseys went for about $1,100 to $1,800 each - with a few over that. How can a "normal, everyday average fan" supposed to partake in this?
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posted at 10:42 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Wolves 3 - Roadrunners 2 (Shootout) 
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the Wolves had on their green St. Patrick's Day jerseys - that are sure to be the annual hot item in the silent auction as usual after Saturday's game. It was really frustrating to watch tonight. Edmonton's goaltender - Mike Morrison - was all over the damn place. Anytime a shot was taken, he'd commit early, go down early, get drawn out, get drawn to the side - and we had NOBODY camped-out in front to get it past him. Unbelievable - you should have SEEN the holes we saw! it just led to another see-saw night that made us look like we were struggling. Hell, we tied the game with 21 seconds to play!
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posted at 10:40 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Monday, March 14, 2005
Getting closer...Watched baseball over the weekend. Watched baseball. Comcast is broadcasting 20 pre-season games! No one's done that around here before... and it just gets you cranked-up for next month when the season actually starts... Oh, and the Sox beat the Cubs this afternoon, and things feel better than I thought...
posted at 04:51 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Wolves 1 - Moose 0posted at 10:53 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
11 days until Spring...... and not only that, my life had started again during my "blogging hiatus". Yes, baseball spring training had started last week. I have a small radio that I take to the hockey and baseball games that I keep in my backpack, so I'm lucky to hear a game being broadcast over ESPN 1000 (even though the interference from all of the damn electronics around here - depending on where you sit/stand - isn't all that bad). What's even better, though I haven't seen one yet, is that Comcast Sports is actually broadcasting 20 pre-season games. I can't wait to sit down and watch.
And you know what came in the mail yesterday? Yes! Our Season Tickets. We were shocked to find out that our seats moved! Our ticket rep moved us up 2 rows from 16 to 14, and we're still in seats 1 & 2. Up side: closer to the field. Down side: we've moved away from Victor! Damn!
We got our Stadium Club passes a week ago - we are splitting the cost this year with our pals Janie & Gary. We'll finally have a place to go (again) when the weather turns crappy at the beginning of the season.
It's too bad that I'm not feeling all that good about the team this year, and so far this spring isn't helping matters.
posted at 12:18 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Ahhhhhh... it's begining...PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT TODAY!!!!!!!
Yes!!!! Baseball has cranked-up and my life somehow feels more complete just knowing that I can watch preseason baseball on TV in just 19 days...
Now, if Jose Canseco could just take his book and disappear...
...sort of like the NHL - which officially canceled the entire season today.
posted at 06:25 AM | Link | Baseball § |
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Wolves 4 - Aeros 5 (Shootout) 
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Same ref - different game.
Jeff Smith called the game again today and just like yesterday, he let the teams play and kept he calls down. Except, he sure didn't do the right thing in the 3rd period.
The energy isn't the same as yesterday, but they crowd is one of the largest of the season - 14,912.
The Wolves were up 3-0 in the 3rd when the Aeros had 2 goals within 7 seconds of each other against. Michael Garnett was in goal again, and everybody looked a bit shook-up. The teams combined for six second-period goals, including five in a span of 4:39. I guess that's enough to shake-up everybody. (One of these goals was by Steve Maltais - it was his 450th regular season goal as a member of the Chicago Wolves.)
It got REAL UGLY in the 3rd.
Houston's Mark Cullen scored a goal at 9:54 in the 3rd, tyeing the game 4-4. It shouldn't have counted. As he shot, Michael Garnett opened up and reached to glove-it with his left hand. At the same time, Kirby Law charges the net off-balance and - with his skate blade - hits Garnett in the face, popping-off his helmet and slashing him in the mouth. It happened so fast, all anybody saw was the helmet flying and Garnett flying face-first onto the ice. He laid there and everybody thought he was just pissed at himself for missing the shot. The TV cameras had a closeup of him on the ice, when all of a sudden you see blood flowing out his mouth onto the ice. The place went crazy. Jeff Smith finally calls a penalty against Law - a 5 minute major for Charging (which, somehow, also got spun-up to a Game Misconduct) - but ALLOWS THE GOAL. Kari Lehtonen had to step-in and finish the game for Garnett. I still haven't heard what happened to him.
So, it's tied after Regulation.
Another Overtime period. Still tied.
Another Shootout. Still tied.
Sudden Death Shootout.
It takes 5 rounds and we lose.
Damn. Very unsatisfying.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:44 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Friday, February 11, 2005
Wolves 5 - Admirals 4 (Shootout) 
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Back at the Allstate Arena for some more hockey.
The game started with a moment of silence for Tim Breslin, a former player with the Wolves, who died from a form of cancer I had NEVER heard of: he died last Wednesday night due to complications from appendiceal cancer - yes, a malignancy of the appendix. He was diagnosed in late November of 2004. He was a local guy and fan favorite. Everybody knew him. So, it was a sad beginning of the night.
But, OH WHAT A GAME!
Milwaukee has been a major problem for us this year, but tonight something was different. The energy was up for both teams. It was like watching a post-season game! The intensity was great, a lot of up and down play, hard hitting...
The referee - Jeff Smith - wasn't calling anything. Which you would think is bad, but the key is he was consistent, and that's all you can ask for in a ref. The crowd was really going after him when he wouldn't call something but you could see that he just wasn't calling anything.
Well, until the 3rd. With only 44 seconds left and the game tied 4-4, he called Brad Larsen for interference. It was a controversial call, because the ref actually DIDN'T call it - one of the linesmen did (I think it was Jay Jacobs). Linesmen can't call a penalty unless it's a major. In this case, there was a "skirmish" between former Wolf Simon Gamache and Steve Maltais right between the two benches as they were leaving the ice. Brad Larsen was on the bench and grabbed Simon Gamache. So, it turns out that this is another case that a linesman can actually call a penalty.
We made it though the 3rd, but that also meant it was 4-on-3 for 1:16 into the 5-minute overtime period.
Turns out that the Wolves survive that and overtime ends in a tie. It's been a couple of years since we saw a Shootout (due to rule changes), but that's what we were headed for. The Wolves outscore Milwaukee 2-1 in the shootout and WIN.
Michael Garnett was in goal tonight because Kari Lehtonen has had strep. Garnett has been in net for the 2 Shootout Wins the Wolves have had this year.
Pretty damn exciting and the best game we have seen in a long, long time.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet)
« hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:43 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Friday, February 04, 2005
Wolves - Barons
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Oh, God, this was painful.
Cleveland is 6 games under .500. We should have rolled-over them. Instead, what we're against is a team with no veterans and 10 rookies on the roster. So what? These guys were fast. No great, just fast. Oh, and they shoot. US? Well, think S-L-O-W and passing a lot, and not well, mind you. there was absolutely nothing good that came out of this.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:51 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Sunday, January 30, 2005
New Ice
The Hoffman Estates Park District Community Center Ice Arenas had their official ribbon cutting ceremony today. Carol and I went over there to check it out. It was important to us because: 1) it's literally just blocks away from our house (but it's not THAT close to walk it), and 2) it is the official practice facility for the Chicago Wolves!
The facility actually opened-up in November, but the Wolves offices, training areas and locker room weren't ready yet.
The place is gorgeous with two full-size rinks. It was packed - there was a time when both rinks were open to open skate and they ran out of rental skates. There were Wolves players available for autographs and out on the ice skating with the guests. The concession stand was in full swing.
I was able to see the actual ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Park District people, the mayor, and the Wolves executives.
posted at 05:14 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Wolves 3 - Hamilton 6 
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Crazy, crazy game.
Almost 9 minutes into the game, Hamilton scores two goals within 19 seconds. 25 seconds later, the Wolves wake up and score, then score a minute later and score two minutes after that. Steve Maltais got his 600th goal of his professional career - he's only one away from scoring 450 just for the Wolves.
9:48 into the second, a Bulldog player, while attempting to score, apparently got too close to goalie Kari Lehtonen, and Kari popped him. This led to a mêlée in front of the net, leading to 9 penalties. The Wolves - because they are on a 4-minute power-kill, only get 5 shots in the 2nd. In the 3rd, the Wolves don't get a shot off for at least half the period. The Bulldogs tie it, go up by one, and then get two empty net goals, while the Wolves only manage 5 shots.
Things happened so quickly that you couldn't look away or even blink.
Things sucked. What's with our shooting? How can you win if you don't shoot? (We're out-shot 37-20).
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:43 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Monday, January 17, 2005
No partyTonight is the Chicago Wolves Season Ticket Holder Party at Gameworks in Schaumburg. In fact, it's in a few minutes.
Not motivated enough to go - last year was too crowded, didn't get any food until the end of the evening, really difficult to see the players.
Too fatigued. Gonna stay home.
posted at 06:23 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Wolves 4 - Maple Leafs 1 
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Only our second game we attended since October 30th! Most of it was scheduling, and then we had to miss a few games due to other commitments (oh, like being in Las Vegas for a week - we missed 3 games just because of that).
Since we've been gone (December 12 was the last time we were here), the rear-screen projection systems in the scoreboard over center ice were replaced with matrix boards. Since the lighting was changed in here, you couldn't see anything on the video boards. Now, it's very bright - though the resolution sucks a bit. Hey, it's the minor league - can't afford to get the real good stuff.
This week the Wolves were wearing special Armed Forces jerseys that are being sold at silent auction today. (I actually bid on one... last time I looked the jersey was up to $1,200 - waaaaayyyy out of my financial reach.) When I heard about this, I thought the jerseys would be in the olive-green cammo, but they were in the beige cammo and it actually looked better (perhaps the green would be too close to the annual St. Patrick's jersey auction coming up in March).
It was good to see the boys playing pretty well. Being tied for First Place in the division is a good thing.
I just wish that when they're on a power play that they'd stop this god-awful passing drill and just shoot the damn puck!
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:21 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Green
I've got an early Christmas present! It's something I've wanted for years. I thought I would never get it, because it costs an awful lot of money and the person in charge doesn't like to spend the money.
I've always wanted a green Comiskey Park. Since it opened in 1991, I've HATED those damn blue seats. It's just another thing that made the place... uninviting for baseball. Now, slowly, over the past couple of years I've seen it - the slow change. When the scoreboard was rebuilt, the facing was changed from blue to green. Some signage around the park changed from blue to green. The padding on the walls around the field changed from blue to green.
And now, they've started replacing over 40,000 seats! YESSSS!!!!! No more swimming pool blue - we'll be sitting on forest green seats, like a real ball park of old.
Unfortunately, they're being phased-in, with the lower deck (where we sit) being last.
But at least it's being done!
read more of this entry »
12/21/2004 12:41 PM ET
U.S. Cellular Field goes green
CHICAGO -- New green seats will be installed at U.S. Cellular Field over the next calendar year, changing the color of the 14-year-old ballpark's seating area from blue to forest green, the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) and the Chicago White Sox jointly announced today.
The installation of new seats takes place in addition to Phase V renovations currently underway. Those changes include a multilevel interactive FUNdamentals skills deck in left field and a Scout Seating area located behind home plate.
"Opening Day 2005 marks the fifth year of ballpark renovations. Each year, our goal has been to make U.S. Cellular Field an even better place to watch White Sox baseball," said Terry Savarise, White Sox senior vice president of stadium operations. "All of our upgrades, from adding seating closer to the action to the re-design of the upper deck, have been in response to feedback from our fans, and each has improved the feeling of intimacy in the ballpark. Now, ISFA has been able to work with us to change the color of the ballpark's seats to forest green."
New green seats first will be installed in the Club Level, Scout Seats and bleachers before Opening Day 2005. The remaining seats, beginning with the upper deck, will be replaced as weather allows during the 2005 season and 2005-2006 offseason. Full installation is scheduled to be completed by Opening Day 2006. Aisle seats in each row will feature one of the club's historical logos.
"We think it will be a unique experience for fans to witness the transformation throughout the season," said Dan Polvere, director of development and facilities for ISFA. "The gradual replacement of the seats coincides with scheduled expansion joint maintenance for the ballpark. Since the upper deck was caulked last season, ISFA can replace those seats, section by section, during the season. The last phase will be to caulk and replace seating in the lower level as time and weather allow."
U.S. Cellular Field's current seats were installed when the ballpark opened in 1991. Exposure to Chicago's harsh weather contributed to the need for their replacement.
White Sox 2005 ticket packages now are available, including the 9-game Minnie Plan and the 13-game Ozzie Plan. Individual-game tickets will go on sale Friday, Jan. 14, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 09:45 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Wolves 2 - Admirals 3 
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This is the first game we've been to in over a month. On top of that, due to other conflicts, we're going to miss about 4 more games over the next month and a half. Everyone around us kept asking where we've been.
It's nice to be missed.
The team has been playing much better lately. They're not giving up and quite a few games go into overtime.
Tonight - well, it was a bit lackluster. We had the lead at one point 2-1 but just couldn't get a break.
The referee was called "controversial" by play-by-play man Judd Sirrot. It was Harry Dumas and apparently during the playoff last year, he called 19 (or was it 16?) power play penalties against the Wolves during one game. Gee - it was against Milwaukee, too.
Then again, we saw him back in 2002 and he was calling a lot of penalties, too - against the Houston Aeros.
Nice crowd - 10,718. I just couldn't get into the game, though. Don't know why. The loss felt pretty disappointnig, too.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:08 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Friday, November 19, 2004
Mêlée in DetroitHoly crap - I don't think I've ever seen something get out of hand this badly. There'to be arrests after all of this. I have never seen something this scary at a sporting event in my life. I have no idea how somebody didn't get themselves seriously injured in all of this - and considering that 1) it was an NBA game and 2) it was in Detroit, I'm surprised somebody didn't smuggle in a weapon and killed somebody.
What am I talking about?
Pacers 97, Pistons 82, 45.9 seconds left in the game.
It all started when Detroit's Ben Wallace went in for a layup
and was fouled hard by Artest from behind.Wallace wheeled around and pushed Artest in the face. The benches emptied and punches were thrown.As the players continued shoving each other near center court and coaches tried to restore order, Artest sprawled out on his back on the scorer's table, looking relaxed.Just when it appeared tempers had died down, Artest was struck by a full cup thrown from the stands. He jumped up, and charged into the stands, throwing punches as he climbed over seats.Fans were punching back, and Jackson and another teammate joined Artest in the mêlée. As the crowd roared, drinks and debris showered the court and the Pacers players covered their heads as they hustled through the runway leading to the locker room.A man in a Pistons jersey approached Artest on the court with fists raised, shouting at him. Artest punched him in the face, knocking the man to the floor before leaving the court. Artest was pulled away, and the fan charged back. O'Neal stepped in and punched the man.
And this was much worse than the description.
I haven't followed the NBA in years. I've felt that the NBA is just turning into a bunch of thugs.
I'm not buying any "self defense" pleas here - it just reinforced my feelings.
A bunch of thugs.
Update: NBA Commissioner David Stern announced suspensions: Pacers forward Ron Artest has been suspended for the remainder of the season.
Indiana guard Stephen Jackson has been suspended for 30 games.
Pacers forward Jermaine O’Neal has been suspended for 25 games.
Indiana guard Anthony Johnson has been suspended for five games.
Detroit forward/center Ben Wallace has been suspended for six games.
Pistons forwards Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman and guard Chauncey Billups have each been suspended for one game for leaving the bench during an on-court altercation.
Indiana guard Reggie Miller has been suspended for one game for leaving the bench during an on-court altercation.
posted at 10:22 PM | Link | Sports § |
Sunday, November 14, 2004
DefenseHow long can the Bears keep winning when the only points being scored are from the defense???
posted at 03:53 PM | Link | Bears § |
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Wolves 1 - Mighty Ducks 4 
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I was watching the warmups, paying attention to the Cincinnati team and realized that there was a whole bunch of "protaganists" on that team this year.
First we have our own Kurtis Foster who was with the Wolves for the last 3 seasons and set a record for the fastest slapshot during an AHL All-Star Game (101 mph!). Now, he left because of a trade. The person I was surprised to see was Goaltender Frederic Cassivi who was also with the Wolves for 3 years. I have no idea how he got there. Then we had our regular protaganist Sheldon Brookbank, and the player with one of our favorite names - Cory Pecker. The absolute surprise for us was former Utah Grizzly Zenon Konopka! Ah yes, who could forget that game last season...
The Ducks score first, only 45 seconds into the game. It was all downhill from there. It's the typical early-season don't know how to play together issues. That, and we aren't shooting. Oh, and Kari Lehtonen not seeing some shots.
Hell of a lot of penalties, thanks to Referee Justin St. Pierre. Yes, most were good calls, but he did have a bunch of questionables.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:44 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
I think it's safe to say The Curse is broken
Congrats to the Boston Red Sox for sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series!
I think it's safe to say that you have broken the Curse of the Bambino!
Did I just see Jimmy Fallon and Rachel Dratch on the field after the game?
posted at 10:56 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Saturday, October 23, 2004
Wolves 3 - Admirals 2 (Overtime) 
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7,194 is more like it for attendance on a Saturday Night. The team is - boring. A lot of up and down, nothing flashy, nothing strong.
It was boring.
The only saving grace was taunting the Admiral's Simon Gamache, who used to be on the Wolves and knew exactly what to expect from us when he went into the Penalty Box.
It looked like we were going to lose 2-1 when Travis Roche scored with 1.7 seconds left in the game, and then won it it overtime with another goal.
We were all shocked and screaming at the top of our lungs that we were able to do this!
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:16 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
YES!
Congratulations, BOSTON! You made me watch your games because of the way you played and it was an honor to watch! You did something no one in Baseball (and it turns out - no one in Basketball, either) to come back 0-3 to win 4-3. A tip of the hat to you!
posted at 11:18 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Wolves 5 - Aeros 4 (Overtime) 
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Well, I knew it was going to be an odd night as soon as we walked into the Allstate Arena. As we walked down the stairs to our seats, I said to Carol, "Hey, they've got new uniforms." (referring to Houston). Caro looked up and ... fell down the stairs, It was all in slow motion and I've seen this a hundred times before - she has bad ankles, so seeing her rolling down the stairs just wasn't surprising to me. It WAS surprising to everyone else around us, so a lot of people came running, Carol was and is fine - her ankle hurts a bit and her knee where she hit the concrete, but she's fine.
Who didn't look fine was our goaltender Kari Lehtonen. He just isn't seeing the puck well. Who scored our first two goals? Steve Maltais, which means that as of the first 15 minutes of this game, Maltais scored the only goals (5) for this team this season.
The crowd was back down to what would be normal for a Wednesday night - 3,428. None of us seemed to know how the game was going to end. Kari was called for throwing his stick at the puck (which the replays showed he didn't) which game Houston a Penalty Shot that they scored on. It ended by Cory Larose breaking the 4-4 tie in overtime.
It looks like the standard "don't know what the team is doing at the beginning of the season" time.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:11 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Now, THAT's baseball! 
My baseball season may be over, but man are these great games to watch! OK, yes, they're epic, but, damn, the play and the twists and turns just suck me in to watch, which I haven't done in years!
posted at 11:06 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Wolves 1 - Griffins 5 
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Oh, God this was painful.
Home Opener for the Chicago Wolves. It was nice seeing all of our Hockey Buddies again. Other than the changes on the ice for new rules (red lines behind the nets showing areas that the goalies are restricted from entering and the huge 24" blue lines), the only other changes to the Allstate Arena are new matrix boards and new (brighter) lighting.
14,877 were there for the Home Opener. We kind of expected that due to the normal draw the Wolves have plus the NHL fans that don't have any hockey to watch, along with the people that took-up the Wolves offers for Season Tickets based on the lockout actually happening.
We looked bad out there. Who looked the worse? Our phenom goalie Kari Lehtonen who gave up 4 goals on 22 shots. He significantly misplayed at least one if not two of the goals and I don't think he saw they others at all. Not like him.
We lost up on Milwaukee last night 4-2. The man who had the two goals up there and our only goal tonight was Steve Maltais. Pathetic - were was everybody else? Oh, and we out-shot the Griffins 47-29. We have never opened the season 0-2.
Not a good start.
Got under the skin of at least one Griffin player - Darryl Bootland - who not only reacted to our taunts, but also flipped us off from the Penalty Box. Sweet.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:39 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Thursday, October 14, 2004
No hockey? What about simulated hockey?So G4TECHTV (that crappy Comcast-owned network that took my beloved TechTV a stripped it clean of it's gadgetry and tech coolness) is simulating the entire NHL season and broadcasting the results in a 3-minute highlight show nightly.
I don't know how I feel about this.
posted at 10:11 PM | Link | Hockey § |
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Opening night?It's Opening Night in the NHL tonight. Or it was supposed to be. No Opening Night. Then again, there hasn't been any training camps or any exhibition games either. The owners have locked-out the players in a labor dispute.
The NHLPA made its first proposal in 15 months to NHL negotiators Sept. 9 in Toronto. it was immediately rejected and there hasn't been any movement since, and there's been rumors of the entire NHL season being lost.
All I know is that it probably means more people going to the Wolves games that we have to deal with. Our opening night is this Saturday!
posted at 08:39 PM | Link | Hockey § |
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Wolves 2 - Griffins 1 - Preseason 
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Carol and I went to a Chicago Wolves preseason game at a local ice rink. It was nice seeing the ol' boys again. Somehow, this year it seems easier for me to make the transition from watching baseball to watching hockey. I was happy to see Kari Lehtonen with us again, even though I'm sure it's because of the lockout so that he can get more time in the net. We've got a few really tall guys this year, like rookie Lane Manson who is listed as 6' 9", along with Brian Sipotz who is listed as 6' 7". Hopefully, they will stay with the team and contribute. That's the problem with preseason - you just don't know who you've got on the team and you try not to get too attached to them because they could be gone in a week. Speaking of a week, opening night is a week from this Saturday. They better work on the Power Play before then...
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:47 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Sunday, October 03, 2004
Season OverWell, the baseball season is officially over for me. I mention this every year because this is the official time when I slip into a funk until pitchers and catchers report to camp next year. My team - the Chicago White Sox - finished 83-79, 2nd in their division 9 games behind the Twins and out of the Wild Card race by 15 games. To be blunt, they had been out for at least a month and realistically even longer than that. We had the first half of the season and just crumbled in the second half. Everyone did - offense, pitching, even defense. But still, it was a good year.
Baseball is life and mine is in suspension until next year.
*sigh*
read more of this entry »
Injuries to Ordonez, Thomas cost White Sox big NANCY ARMOUR Associated Press
CHICAGO - When Torii Hunter leveled catcher Jamie Burke with a shoulder block at the plate the last week of July, it appeared to be the final, crushing blow to the Chicago White Sox's playoff chances.
But really, Chicago's season had ended weeks earlier, when Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordonez went down with what would be season-ending injuries.
"We had some key injuries, it hurt us big," right-hander Jon Garland said. "But we can't say that's the cause of why we lost. We still had to go out and play baseball, and there were times when we didn't do it."
The White Sox ended the year 83-79, the fifth straight season they finished .500 or better. But that's three games less than they won last year, a finish that cost Jerry Manuel his job. Worse, it left Chicago nine games behind scrappy Minnesota in the AL Central, a bitter disappointment for a team many picked to win the division coming out of spring training.
The White Sox led the division as late as July 24 but lost 11 of their next 13 - including a three-game sweep by the Twins - to plummet out of the race.
"When your goal is to win the division and you don't win it, then there is no silver lining," Paul Konerko said. "That's the way I look at it."
The White Sox do have things to build on. New manager Ozzie Guillen's enthusiasm was infectious, and players and fans alike responded to it. Konerko rebounded from his slump last season to hit career-highs with 41 homers and 117 RBIs. Carlos Lee hit .305 with 31 homers and 99 RBIs, and showed he can be equally dangerous defensively, finishing as the only qualifying outfielder in the major leagues to have a perfect fielding percentage.
Center fielder Aaron Rowand made the most of getting the chance to play every day, hitting .310 with 69 RBIs. And Juan Uribe emerged as a pleasant surprise, showing the consistency he'd lacked in Colorado by hitting .283 and driving in 74 runs.
But without Thomas and Ordonez, the White Sox had little chance of winning their division. Ordonez was hitting .311 with eight homers and 34 RBIs when he had surgery June 5 to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. He came back July 8, but played in only 10 games before a fluid problem forced him back on the disabled list.
Thomas was hitting .271 with 18 homers and 49 RBIs, and leading the American League with 64 walks and a .434 on-base percentage, when he went on the disabled list July 10 with a stress fracture in his ankle.
"When you see Aaron Rowand coming up and then you get Carlos Lee, Paul Konerko, Magglio Ordonez, Frank Thomas - that sits in the back of your mind," Garland said. "I don't care if they're not hitting the ball well, that still sits in the back of your mind. You might not want to fall behind a guy, you might not want to go around a guy to get to somebody else."
"But things happen," Garland added. "That's just the way the game goes."
While Thomas has promised to be back next year, there's no guarantee about Ordonez. He's a free agent this offseason, and contract talks broke off earlier this year with the two sides believed to be far apart. Ordonez made $14 million this year and was looking for a deal similar to the $70 million, five-year contract Vladimir Guerrero got from Anaheim last winter.
The White Sox also have to shore up their pitching. Mark Buehrle was his usual solid self, and Freddy Garcia was 8-4 after being acquired from Seattle. After them, though, the rotation is somewhat shaky.
They traded 21-game winner Esteban Loaiza to the Yankees, getting Jose Contreras in return. Contreras flirted with a no-hitter Sunday, but it was his first win since Aug. 28. Garland finally had his first winning season in the majors, but he was 12-11 with a 4.89 ERA. As for the fifth starter, the White Sox have tried several options with limited success.
The bullpen needs work, too. Shingo Takatsu showed he can close games in the United States as well as Japan, converting 19 of 20 saves. But the White Sox could use another setup man.
"I don't think I'll be able to watch a full playoff game," third baseman Joe Crede said. "It drives me up a wall thinking we should be out there. But it makes you want to get the next season started. It makes you hunger for it more the next year." « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 03:44 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 26, 2004
White Sox 5 - Royals 1 - Final Home Game 
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The last visit of the year to "The Cell". I always hate this game - no matter the outcome. This game signifies the end of the season for me. Most people would think of the last game of the season, or the last game of the World Series, but to me - this is the game. Why? There are no more games for me to go to. Everything else will happen away from Chicago. Oh, then there's the realization that another year has passed without a playoff game, let alone a World Series game. Today, I am filled with melancholy.
The weather is gorgeous, but on the chilly side. It's fan appreciation day (though Carol & I were not officially "Appreciated" as we didn't win any giveaways). The crowd is pretty thin - 18,949.
The game was interesting. Jon Garland pitched one of his better games this year - by the end of the 8th, he had only thrown 88 pitches. Unfortunately, when he came out to start the 9th, he didn't have it any longer and Damaso Marte had to finish (and finish he did - FOR A CHANGE). We had 4 homeruns (by Ross Gload, Wilson Valdez (his first one), Jose Valentin (his last in a Sox uniform at home?), and whipping-boy Joe Borchard).
The team ends the season 46-35 at home with 145 homers at U.S. Cellular Field, short of the record set by the Colorado Rockies in 1996. The team fell short of drawing 2,000,000 fans this season, but we had 10 sellouts, the most in the 14-year history of U.S. Cellular Field.
After the game, we sat and watched Ozzie's news conference on the big screen and then quietly left the park.
See you next year - you will be missed.
(Boxscore) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 05:51 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 25, 2004
White Sox 5 - Royals 1 
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Our last Night Game and Fireworks of the year.
Janie commented about the night: "It feels like I went to a circus and a baseball game broke out." She was referring to all of the people sitting around us. Our first group is all of the people that showed-up severely under-dressed, usually all with t-shirts and shorts. Gametime temps were 68° and going down with a 13mph wind. Clearly, they didn't listen to the weather reports and the famous phrase "cooler near the lake". Then we have the Group Sales idiots who are in the section next to us, closer to the plate than us Partial Season Ticket Holders. All they want to do is drink and socialize, usually standing up and blocking our view of the pitcher, the plate, or both. Then we have The Yellers. yes, these are the idiots that think any given player on the field can hear them, no matter how far away they are, no matter that there's a total of 20,625 people trying to say something as well. It doesn't matter, they want to yell, they need to yell. And the crap they yell - at times - makes no sense. Let's take Mr. "Throw The Ball!" who yells this while Mark Buehrle is on the mound. Buehrle, is the fastest no-nonsense pitcher on the Sox, and throws a Complete Game tonight, earning him his 15th win, all within 2 hours and 13 minutes. Then we have the females that show up wearing things that nobody "that size" should ever wear (What the HELL is it with the bare midriff and hip hugger jeans craze when the person has so much friggin' flab hanging over the front of the jeans - let alone the sides - that you just want to either laugh in her face or just puke?) Then we have the normal groups of drunks, some loud, some just stumbling and bumbling. Nothing unusual, but they're just adding to the carnival atmosphere tonight. The one that takes the cake that's driving us nuts is the girl a few rows down in front of us. She looks 14-16. She has a baby that's maybe 4 months old. First, the kid looks cold. Second, every break in-between innings she grabs the kid from a car carrier, puts the kid up in the air next to her, trying to get one of the stadium cameras to put the two of them on screen in the scoreboard. When that's over, she's literally flinging the kid around to wrap her in a pink blanket. Arms and legs are flailing as she flops her back into the car seat. The baby never says a peep. And she's damn cute, too. Too bad she looked like a rag doll as her mom was throwing her around as she yanks her from her seat or wraps her up and drops her back into the seat.
Now, through all this, we were still somewhat able to watch the game. Buehrle looked really good for a change - he's struggled over the last month or so. Jose Valentin finally is productive and gets a homerun (his 28th) along with still another error (his 20th of the year). Carols Lee got his 29th homer of the year as well. I think it might be his 150th career homerun as well.
Last Fireworks of the year as well. Tomorrow - our last day of the year at the park.
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posted at 09:47 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, September 19, 2004
White Sox 6 - Tigers 1 
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Today is Minnie Minoso day in Chicago. No, really, the mayor proclaimed it so. The White Sox held a ceremony on the left-field concourse to unveil a statue of Minnie. Minnie is a goodwill ambassador for the team - I see him all the time around the park, signing autographs for people that remember. This statue is supposed to be the first of 5 over the next five years that will be unveiled at the park (no idea who the next 4 will be). The ceremony was really moving, with Minnie and his family around him. In fact, there were so many family members, they weren't allowed into the small area for the unveiling - they stood outside with the schlubs like me. Some snapshot items: Minnie was the first Black Ballplayer for the Sox, he played in 5 different decades in Major League Baseball, and then pushed it into another decade by playing for the St. Paul Saints in the independent Northern League June 30, 1993 (... doesn't Bill Veek's son own the team?) He was a seven-time American League All-Star and a three-time Gold Glove outfielder.
Minnie threw out the first pitch to fellow Cuban Jose Contreras. We've always joked that it seemed that every time you turned around, you saw Minnie. It was like he never left the park. Now, it will be true.
On the way back to my seat after the ceremony, I saw a gentleman walking by that looked really familiar. Sure enough, it was Vince Galloro, the author of a great White Sox blog that I read with regularity called Exile in Wrigleyville. If you're a Sox fan, please read his take on the team as well as his experiences. He's a good writer, someone that I consider has a fair view on the team. Go - visit his blog. (BTW - the only way I recognized him is because he had some pictures posted at his blog recently that he happened to be in - and he happened to be wearing the same black jersey and Sox hat, so he just stood out). However, I just realized that I never introduced myself, so I'm going to have to fire-off a quick email.
The game was again a good outing, nibbling away at Detroit. Freddy Garcia lasted 7 1/3 innings and gave up only 1 run with 8 strikeouts.
And even though it was another Kid's Day, with autographs and running the bases after the game, the fair weather fans have indeed turned their backs on the Sox - the attendance was only 19,269.
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posted at 10:20 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 18, 2004
White Sox 9 - Tigers 8 - 12 innings 
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So much about this game is familiar - the attendance is back down (23,533), the weather is cool again (73 degrees at first pitch and I had to put on my jacket by the end of the game), ups and downs and ups and downs and ups.
The game lasted 4:05, the longest I've been to without a rain delay in some time. It hurt to watch. It was disgusting and exhilarating.
Jose Contreras is pitching an erratic game, not nearly as bad as his last few outings but no where near his potential. The entire pitching staff makes me anxious with every single damn pitch lately - I mean, you really don't know who is showing-up at the mound at what the ball is going to do when they release it. It's scary, not to mention the entire damn offensive staff when you just don't know who you can count on regularly for a hit, a sacrifice to move somebody over. Hell, you don't know if anybody can get on base...
The game is tied 4-4 in the 6th, and we go into extra innings tied. Neal Cotts pitched OK in the 8th and 9th and gets 2 strikeouts in the 10th, but the next thing you know, he gives up 2 2-run homers. We're losing 8-4 in the 10th and it's looking like an extension of last night (We lost 11-10 in 10 innings).
Wilson Valdezcomes in for Jose Valentin and gets a pinch hit single, Ben Davis flies out to center, and my whipping-boy Joe Borchard homers (he's still batting .158). OK, we're halfway there... Timo Perez comes in for Joe Crede and doubles to right (I love those hits - they're right in front of our section as they scream down the line) and Aaron Rowand homers to left. TIED! The substitutions worked, but that's as far as we get, and we go further into the night...
In the bottom of the 12th, Ben Davis grounds-out 1-3, my boy Joe Borchard walks, Jamie Burke grounds out 5-3 and Borchard goes to 2nd.
Aaron Rowand hits a slow grounder to 3rd and is running his ass off. Borchard gets a good jump and is running his ass off. Rowand beats the throw for a single, Borchard scores - game over and WE WIN!
BEST FINISH TO A GAME THAT I'VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME...
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posted at 11:28 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Marlins 8 - Expos 6 
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I'm back at The Cell again today for the second (and last) Home Away From Home series of the Florida Marlins and Montreal Expos. I went alone and this time sat in Section 130, but in the very first row in front of the screen. Though the angle is gorgeous and the proximity to the players is wonderful, the netting still plays 3-D tricks on you and it gets hard to focus sometime. The people around me are... strange again, though not as vocal as yesterday. The attendance is up slightly to 5,457 from yesterday's 4,003, and they are at least as vocal as yesterday. The concessions seem to be more organized today and, in general, everyone seems to be more organized and settling-in to the "Home Away From Home" concept.
The game was good again and the Expos almost came back to win (or the Marlins almost allowed themselves to lose).
The teams go back to Miami. Hurricane Ivan (or "Pudge" as the team call it), went way west and didn't touch anywhere near Miami, making it feel like the teams never had to use "The Cell" in the first place.
Still, it was awfully unique and I am glad that I had a chance to experience it.
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posted at 05:33 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Monday, September 13, 2004
Marlins 6 - Expos 3 
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Carol took the day off. We drove downtown to pickup our friend Barry, and we drove to U.S. Cellular Field to see a little piece of baseball history.
If you follow sports, you know how important it is to play at your home field - you play the most number of games there during any given season. You get used to the quirks of your own stadium and - typically - can outplay your opponents there. Your local fan base comes out and cheers you on, giving you more incentive and energy to play better. And, of course, you help the local community revenue streams.
Hurricane Ivan has its sights set on Florida. The Florida Marlins have already missed 3 games against the Cubs due to rain-outs (that are being made-up) and can't afford to miss any more games. They have 5 games to play against the Montreal Expos (at least one is a makeup for a rainout). Since the Marlins were in Chicago to play the Cubs, and the White Sox are out of town, the teams worked-out an agreement to allow 2 of the Marlin-Expos games to be played right here in Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field.
The Marlins will be the home team in a Home Away From Home series.
The use of another stadium for a regularly scheduled game is rare. It's only happened twice before in the entire history of Major League Baseball.
General Admission Tickets were $15, with $5 going to a Florida Hurricane Relief Fund. Parking was $10. The upper deck would be closed (it turns out, there appears to be work being done with seats down the 3rd-base line).
We got there before the gates opened, since we'd have to find seats. It was a mad dash at the open, but we got our seats in Section 131 - just to the first base side of home plate, 4 rows up. When was the last time you spent $15 to a MLB game and were able to sit behind the plate???
It was an odd experience. We really didn't know either team. THere were Sox fans, Cub fans, Marlin fans, Expos fans, Red Sox fans... and there was only 4,003 of us. The park was quiet so every heckle easily carried out onto the field. The Marlins brought their own Stadium Announcer, their own music and video clips, and their mascot Billy Marlin. There was only a half-dozen concession stands open, so lines were long. All of the other stands and stores were closed. There were hadly any vendors, either. I'm sure they had to scrape together the staffing for today.
(It was a bit creepy - it was like seeing a White Sox game of the future - players you don't know, no Gene Honda announcing the games, Nancy Faust's organ silent and locked-up...)
It was a sunny, hot day (that Carol didn't tolerate very well) and we had to endure the oddest, strangest, nerdiest Expo fan hecklers that sat behind us. Ignoring the idiots behind us ("Hey Lo Duca! You're a communist!", "Hey Lo Duca! You're an anarchist!", "Hey Lo Duca! You're a Calvinist!"), and a guy who was after Expo 3rd base coach Acta (claiming he's the worst 3rd base coach in the game), there was some serious chanting going on later in the game. A few "Let's Go Expos! (Clap!-Clap!-Clapclapclap!)" were mightily beaten back with "Let's Go Marlins! (Clap!-Clap!-Clapclapclap!)". And the 7th inning stretch was very odd, when there was almost no way to tell what team everyone was rooting for. Only one fan ejection that I could see - due to touching a ball in play down the right field line.
The view was great and the game was good. Carol had so much fun that, even though she couldn't take the day off, said that I should go to the game tomorrow!
I just may do that...
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posted at 06:35 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Not ready
Sorry folks, It's baseball season. I don't care if my team is 9 games out and not in the Wild Card.
It's baseball season - even though football started today. I can't wrap my head around having a new coach and a team that almost doesn't look familiar.
posted at 01:02 PM | Link | Bears § |
Sunday, September 05, 2004
White Sox 6 - Mariners 2 
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Sweep? SWEEP!!! I'd never thought I'd see that and say that considering how this team had been playing. Perhaps it was the Mariners that the Sox really needed to play against to get them back in the grove.
I actually had my hopes up after last night's game and after hearing that Jamie Moyer was 0-6 in day games.
Highlights? Homers by Konerko and my whipping-boy Joe Borchard.
Things going on around the park: Today was Teamster Day, so they were all over the place, mostly standing around the outfield concourse drinking smoking and talking, but not moving one bit.
It was also the MDA's Jerseys Off Their Backs promotion. For a $5 scratch card (donation) you could win a chance to go onto the field after the game and have a White Sox player actually take off his jersey, sign it, and give it to you (*ew*). The players were part of the charity ticket thing, while the coaches were involved with a silent auction that also included a signed 8x10 and a signed baseball. Last time I looked, Ozzie was going for $300 and bullpen catcher Man Soon Lee was $100.
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posted at 10:13 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, September 04, 2004
White Sox 8 - Mariners 7 
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Back at the park on Labor Day weekend, and I can finally say the weather is perfect for baseball - 81° and winds that are 15mph, but are actually warm for a change.
Seattle started Ryan Franklin who was 3-13 for the year. It was easy to take him, something we desperately needed to stroke our ego and get us going. Pour guy gave up 4 homeruns (out of 5 total) in 3 2/3 innings (and 86 pitches in 3 2/3 innings isn't that good either) and struckout only 1. He also had a throwing error, one of 4 for the team.
On our side of the card, we had 5 homeruns including Willie Harris's first one of the year. Paul Konerko had 2 homeruns and now has 34. We had a look at reliever Jeff Bajenaru, who got called-up when Cliff Politte had an emergency appendectomy this week. He gave up 3 hits in a third of an inning, all of which eventually scored. Shingo Takatsu had to come in and cleanup (he allowed 2 of those 3 runs). It's nice to see that they stadium crew slightly changed "Shingo Time" so that the gong doesn't sound like a Chinese gong, but sounds more like a Buddhist temple bell. Timo Perez was the guy that won us the game with a throw from right field to third baseman Juan Uribe, who tagged out Bret Boone.
Let me get on my anti-Joe Borchard horse again. Ozzie had him bat 9th as the designated Hitter. How embarrassing is it to have a DH that's batting .154 (.150 by the end of the evening)? I'm tired of the Borchard Experiment. It's time to move on.
The man of the night, however, was Ichiro Suzuki. He's focused on breaking the hit record for a season by going 5 for 5 in tonight's game, earning him a standing ovation from the White Sox fans. He is now batting .379 with 223 hits. (The single-season record for most hits in a season is 257, set by Hall of Famer George Sisler of the St. Louis Browns in 1920. He also has 34 more hits to go to set a record for the most hits during a four-year span, a record currently held by Bill Terry, who had 918 hits from 1929-32.)
Mark Buehrle got the win and improved to 13-8.
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posted at 10:07 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, September 03, 2004
Japanese advertising
I'm watching the white Sox-Seattle game on Fox Sports Net from U.S. Cellular Field and I just noticed that the rolling advertizing sign behind the plate has Japanese advertising in it!
I'd like to think it's because of Shingo Takatsu, but I'm sure it's because of Ichiro Suzuki. Or perhaps, both.
I've NEVER seen that before in the park.
On a side note, I read today that there a rumor that the Cubs will apply to the Historical Commission to be able to put a rolling advertizing sign on the brick behind the plate at Wrigley Field. Ha! Join the ranks of ugly advertising inside the park, dear Cub fans...
posted at 09:46 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, August 30, 2004
How'd he do that?I didn't watch the ballgame this afternoon. The Sox were playing Philadelphia in a makeup game. I'm just having trouble getting behind the team right now, as everything and everybody has been sliding downhill. One of these guys is Joe Borchard. We've been hearing about this guy for years and years that he's the future for the outfield - in 2001 he was named by Baseball America as the No. 1 Prospect in the White Sox organization, No. 2 Outfielder in the minor leagues. He played 16 games in 2002 and 16 in 2003, and 34 this year. His batting average was .222 in 2002, .184 in 2003 and is .163 for this year (.139 over the last 10 games). In 30 games in the outfield this year, he's made 2 errors and has a fielding percentage of .957 (worse than Jose Valentin, another one of our defensive geniuses). It's easy to see why I'm questioning why the hell we have somebody like this in the lineup.
In the 2nd in today's game, with a man on base and one out, he does something that has been pissing me off just like so many others on this team - he swings on the first pitch.
This time, though, he hits a HUGE 504 foot homerun to right-center that easily cleared the bleachers and landed halfway up the concourse. It's the longest ever at U.S. Cellular Field. Ever. (Before that was 495' from Frank Thomas July 23, 2003 against Minnesota off of Johan Santana. Barry Bonds had one at 475' on June 10, 2003 off of Jon Garland)
Oh, what did he do the other 3 at-bats? Struck out each time.
posted at 05:01 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Thursday, August 26, 2004
White Sox Scout Seats?
I just got an email from my White Sox ticket rep.
They're building a new seating area behind the plate with all kinds of new amenities.
If you want the front row, the cost of the seat is $200. Otherwise, it's $170.
After a season like this one where I felt the team just folded and collapsed, I guess all I can say is "Good luck to you selling those seats!"
What do you get for that price?
Premium reserved parking outside of Gate 3 Premium buffet in the 5,000+ square foot private restaurant/lounge with all beverages included Private access to seat location Wait service at the seats for food and beverages Comfortable, wide seats Self-service island featuring popcorn, ice cream, peanuts, soda, water, etc. One of the best seats in the house, some of which are closer to home plate than the pitcher!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, August 26, 2004
NEW ALL-INCLUSIVE 'SCOUT' SEATING AREA
AMONG CHANGES TO U.S. CELLULAR FIELD FOR 2005
CHICAGO - A brand new "Scout" seating area for fans - located directly behind home plate and featuring behind-the-scenes views, pre and postgame access to a premium club offering Levy-catered dining, in-seat wait staff during the game and special parking next to the ballpark - is planned for U.S. Cellular Field in 2005.
This new 314-seat area will be built behind home plate, replacing the current field access tunnel and some existing seating. Fans with tickets to this area will have access to a 5,000-square-foot private restaurant and lounge located inside the ballpark at Gate 3 and will enjoy behind-the-scenes views of the ballpark's inner workings. These seats will feature personal wait service from Levy staff, as well as reserved parking just outside Gate 3. Please see the attached renderings.
"These will literally be the best seats in the house," said Brooks Boyer, White Sox vice president of marketing. "We are offering fans a unique ballpark experience that will come as close as possible to actually being a member of the team. Fans will park right near the ballpark, spend pre and post game in a premium club with a first-class Levy dining experience, walk to their seats past the visiting clubhouse and then sit right behind home plate with personal wait service throughout the game. All of this will be available for one price - parking, the cost of the ticket, food and beverage - which we think makes this a very well-priced option when compared against other professional sports facilities in Chicago and across the country."
Scout Seat tickets are being offered in season packages, first to existing White Sox season ticket customers. Prices are $200 for seats in the first row of the special section and $170 for all other seats.
"You see the popularity of these exclusive seating options throughout sports and in all of the new ballparks and venues," Boyer said. "And we think the amenities provided with this experience will be unmatched for fans in this area."
Phase V renovations, which are scheduled to be completed by Opening Day 2005, also include a new, multilevel baseball and softball skills area called "FUNdamentals." The ballpark's Phase V renovations, designed by sports architectural firm HKS of Dallas, Texas, were made possible by the 2003 naming rights agreement with U.S. Cellular.
FUNdamentals, a 15,000-square-foot baseball and softball skills instruction area, will be relocated on the left field concourse and will feature a youth-sized baseball diamond for coaching clinics, batting and pitching cages and areas for baserunning and skills instruction, in addition to a kid-friendly concession and novelty stand.
-30-
© 2004 Chicago White Sox
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posted at 05:02 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Sunday, August 22, 2004
White Sox 5 - Red Sox 6
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Still another game to attend that's been mucked-up. We had Elvis Friday night, Fox moved our normal Saturday night game to 12:15pm. Today, our 2:05 kids day game was moved to 7pm so ESPN could cover this debacle nationally. SO, since it's Kid's Day (they were giving out book bags as a promotion), they were having the autograph sessions before the game. Saw a group of people dressed up in Yakult Swallows gear to get Shingo Takashi's autograph, and there was a group of people sitting a couple of rows back with their bento boxes and sushi... I'm actually happy about this. I'd like to see us jump on the Japan bandwagon and ride this for as long as Shingo is here.
The other big thing is that ESPN's Baseball Tonight is setup on the field and is being done live before the game. I went over to check it out, but it was difficult to follow anything that's going on, since most of the talk was voice-overs of videotape of the afternoon games. A crewman came over and shared a plate of desserts with the fans (which, to my shock, didn't storm the guy). Had a great fudge brownie.
The game... sucked again. We actually got into the lead for the first time this series. Freddy Garcia, who has thrown about 117 pitches, comes out in the 8th and on the first pitch, Manny Ramirez hits a homer to tie the game. Ozzie brings out Damaso Marte who throws one pitch to Ortiz who hits a homer putting them in the lead.
That's it. That just sucked the life right out of me. I'm angry, I'm disappointed, I'm shocked, I'm disappointed, I'm despondent, I'm disgusted, I'm tired, I'm sick.
We were in First Place for a good part of the year. If we weren't, we're just a few games out.
We're in 3rd, 8 games out. Everything has failed - hitting, pitching, defense - everything.
To top it all off, there were a TON of Boston fans at each of these three game. Where the hell are these people coming from? Are there that many displaced Bostonians in Chicago? Are people actually traveling here to see them? Even on a Sunday Night?
However - Props to those fans. They were THE BEST fans for the visiting team I've ever seen. Cub Fans should take lessons from these guys.
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posted at 11:07 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, August 21, 2004
White Sox 7 - Red Sox 10
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Today's game was moved up to 12:15 so that Fox could broadcast it. We got to the park really early just to get... an Esteban Loaiza bobblehead doll. Yes, even though he got traded to the Yankees, they got to get rid of them, and for the second day in a row, it's a sell out.
And for the second day in a row, the game starts poorly and I can feel myself disconnecting from the game. It's also the first day of the Chicago Air and Water show, so I switched my radio over to listen to that as I kept my eyes on the skies to see if we could see anything from the south side. (We saw a little).
It was still better than watching the game, which sucked again.
On the way home, we're going down the Dan Ryan when The Blue Angels, in the middle of their routine in the air show, came roaring toward us on a very low high speed pass and turn. You could see everyone slam on their brakes and stop and cheer and yell and applaud. Wild.
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posted at 08:05 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, August 20, 2004
White Sox 1 - Red Sox 10 - ELVIS NIGHT!
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I honestly couldn't tell you a thing about tonight's game. I went to the game - I shut it out. We were losing 6-0 in the 2nd and that was enough for me to give up. Hell, it was Curt Schilling.
Oh, it was Elvis night again. Saw the performers, saw my old friend Peg and spent quite a few innings talking to her and her husband Rob about the state of the team, played the Sox Spilt Raffle, (but didn't do as well as two years ago).
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posted at 11:23 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, August 08, 2004
White Sox 3 - Indians 2 
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The day starts off well - it's the annual Fuji Film Photo Day where. if you show up early enough, you can go out on the field and take pictures of the team. Always very cool. I took between 80 - 90 shots.
Jose Contreras pitched a very good game - 9 innings, 9 strikeouts, only 1 run - but he had 108 pitches, so he didn't come out in the 9th to defend our 2-1 lead.
Instead, Damaso Marte comes out in relief. I HAD LOST ALL HOPE for this guy. I cringe every time he comes to the mound. I think he's lost "it". But, since there were left-handers coming up and that's what Shingo failed against last night, Ozzie sends Marte in instead.
Marte strikes out the first batter - and then promptly gives up a homerun, tyeing the game.
All those crappy feelings from yesterday - and almost every game in the the last 2 dozen - come back again.
Shingo comes in and retires the side.
In the bottom of the 9th, Timo Perez singles to center. Timo is jumping all around first, forcing Rafael Betancourt to keep throwing to first while Ben Davis is up. Davis, goes through 9 pitches as well, keeping the inning alive. Eventually, he hits a gapper to right center and Timo comes all the way around and scores, winning the game.
FINALLY.
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posted at 10:04 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, August 07, 2004
White Sox 5 - Indians 6 
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A boot to the head.
A kick to the groin.
Watching another White Sox loss.
It looked bad from the beginning. We were losing 3-0 until the 6th, when Roberto Alomar got a 3-run homer, followed by a 2-run homer by Juan Uribe.
The game was sewn-up. I mean, Shingo Takatsu came in to save the game in the 9th - when Mr. Zero gave up 2 singles followed by a homerun, thus losing the game.
I'm sick to my stomach.
The boys are now 7 games back, in 3rd place, behind Cleveland.
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posted at 10:03 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Baseball despairOne week ago, I was at a ballgame for my favorite team - The Chicago White Sox. Everything was right with the world.
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They had won that night on a walk off homer. The team was in First Place by half a game.
Flash forward one week.
The Sox lost tonight for the 7th straight game. They lost the game tonight the same as yesterday - getting into pitching trouble, loading the bases, and walking-in the winning run.
They're now 5 games out of first place, 4½ games out of the Wild Card Race. They're batting .227, the worst in the majors.
More misery: Today is the Trading Deadline. The Sox trade away 2-time All-Star pitcher Esteban Loaiza to the Yankees for pitcher Jose Contreras.
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posted at 09:59 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, July 25, 2004
White Sox 2 - Tigers 9 
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Well, it's not much warmer out, but there isn't a cloud in the sky. So I as the new Lobster Boy from my lengthy pool time on Friday had to make sure every part of my body is covered in clothing or sunscreen.
In the big picture, however: it was a waste coming to the game. It ran long (3:08) and we left early as it was too painfull. We got killed. Garland couldn't get it together, and neither did the bullpen. Nothing to talk about - we sucked.
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posted at 09:32 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 24, 2004
White Sox 7 - Tigers 6 
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So, the zombies shuffle-off to the park for a baseball game. As has been our luck all damn year, it's late in July and the temperature is 68 degrees and it's windy. In other words, cold and uncomfortable.
I don't feel great about Schoeneweis as a starter. I still don't think he's as solid as we need. His 6 innings of work had 3 walks, only one strikeout, 8 hits and 5 runs. The tigers had this in their pocket by the 4th. It was 6-2 in the top of the 7th, but it was 6-5 at the bottom, and we tied it up in the 8th.
In the 9th, Joe Crede hits a walk-off homerun, something I didn't think we'd see tonight. The crowd of 38,055 - another sellout - went nuts.
Tigers - 4 homers, 10 hits
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posted at 10:23 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, July 12, 2004
Disco DemolitionExactly 25 years ago right now, The Chicago White Sox had to forfeit a game at old Comiskey Park
Local WLUP "shock jock" Steve Dahl along with partner Garry Meier had a promotion at old Comiskey Park: Show up for a Double Header with the Detroit Tigers and bring a Disco record and get in for $1. The record would be put into a pile and blown up in between games to signify the end of disco.
All hell broke lose after the event - fans rushed the field, tore up turf, even set fires in the upper deck.
Detroit manager Sparky Anderson protested field conditions and game was called-off and later forfeited by
WTTW is broadcasting a one-hour special commemorating the event right now. I guess you can get a DVD of the show by going here.
posted at 08:21 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Sunday, July 11, 2004
White Sox 4 - Mariners 3 
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Wow, that was warm today (It's about time - it's mid July!) Well, so far I'm still not sure about the Freddy Garcia trade. I sure don't feel like he won the game today - he was just the pitcher of record when we took the lead. For today's 6 2/3 innings: 3 Earned Runs, 1 homerun, 1 walk but 7 strikeouts. And we had another great close today. For the third day in a row, it was "Shingo Time"! There were a lot of Japanese media types all over the place (probably due to Ichiro Suzuki playing today - he was off yesterday) and they were around Shingo during the autograph session before the game today. Hopefully they have good things to say about how nuts the place gets when you hear those gongs play and Takatsu comes out of the bullpen.
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posted at 09:38 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, July 10, 2004
White Sox 3 - Mariners 2 
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I've got to say that we didn't think 37,405 would show up for this game. It was startling.
It was Matt Thornton's first major league start for the Mariners and for a while, it looked like he would give us some problems. Well, until the 5th when he walked 4 batters, forcing-in 2 runs. Mark Buehrle allowed two runs on nine hits in eight innings. Then in the 9th, the gong was sounded and in came Shingo Takatsu. They're really playing up his entrance now. There are signs of "It's Shingo Time!" and that incessant gong (which I'm not sure is appropriate for someone from Japan for some reason when I hear a gong I think Chinese). Anyway, the place goes absolutely nuts when he comes out and stays that way as he retires the side with ease. Boy, I like this guy.
Problem: Buehrle is known for his short games. The game lasted only 2:13, so at 8:20 the sky wasn't exactly dark enough for fireworks after the show. Let's just say it was uninspiring.
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posted at 10:27 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Sunday, June 27, 2004
White Sox 9 - Cubs 4 
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Well, there seems to be a lot less tailgating today. No idea why. While standing outside Gate 3, there seems to be more Cub fans today than yesterday. Also, there seems to be more people looking for tickets, though I never saw a single person selling.
The pitching matchup was going to be thrilling: Esteban Loaiza vs. Greg Maddux. The game starts with Timo Perez running out to his position in right, doing a Sammy Sosa impression. In the 1st, Loaiza throws 7 pitches, Maddux throws 35 pitches and gives up 2 runs. That's how the day is going to go, back and forth, each pitcher having their own problems. In the 2nd, Sosa has a 454-foot homerun to dead center, hitting the ivy in the batter's eye. Sammy has another homer in the 3rd. Timo Perez has a homer in the third, and as he cross the plate he points to the sky. Sure enough, as he goes in the dugout, he's doing another Sammy Sosa impression, the whole two-fingered salute and kiss. Wooo boy. The Sox take the lead and stay that way the rest of the game. The boys win at home on a Sunday to keep that record going - 6-0.
Getting out of the park, the parking lots, and onto the Dan Ryan was miserable. It was offset by hearing the news about "the trade". Miguel Olivo (who caught the game and left after his at-bat in the 7th) was traded to the Seattle Mariners along with minor league outfielder Jeremy Reed and infielder Michael Morse to get pitcher Freddy Garcia and catcher Ben Davis. I guess Olivo took it hard. He's going to be miised. But... Garcia? Does this mean we've got a complete rotation now?
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posted at 10:09 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 26, 2004
White Sox 6 - Cubs 3 
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Well, the game doesn't go at all like I had thought... Felix Diaz doesn't last just one or two innings - he goes six innings, gives up 3 runs (including a homerun), but the Sox give him run support with homeruns from Konerko, Crede and Valentin. I think more than anything, the Sox went after Carlos Zambrano and just messed with his head. He wasn't getting his calls and we knew that gets to him, and then we just fed on that to try and rattle him. He gave up a 3-run homer to Konerko and then Timo Perez got on first. Timo just taunted Zambrano and forced him to throw to first quite a few times before he finally pitched to Crede - who hit another homer. The crowd of 39,553 was pretty well split Sox/Cubs, though it just felt there were more Cub fans. It was odd - everytime the Cubs did something, it seemed like the whole place was up and cheering. Then when the Sox did something, it seemed like the whole place was up and cheering. Weird. I do have to say, however, that the buzz had gone out of the Cub fans as the game progressed. In general, I saw no fighting and no severe taunting that I've seen in prior years.
The most electrifying moments? Every pitch by Shingo Takatsu. They really played-up his intro and in the 9th everyone was on their feet and cheering every single pitch. How can we have a "closer by committee"??? Give him the job already!!!
Let's see how the game goes tomorrow...
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posted at 06:16 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Sox Yard Sale
Went to the White Sox Yard Sale at the park. Normally it's usually around the 2nd week of March, but because of the extensive construction around the park, they postponed it until today. And instead of being a Garage Sale, it was billed as a Yard Sale held in the Patio area. It seemed like the number of jerseys available has finally gone down after a couple of years, so it was getting hard to find a "good" one, though they were there for a price. The regular jerseys were about $150, but the "good" ones are at least $350. It didn't matter - I didn't have any "good" money with me, even to purchase a cheapo jersey. I was there to pick up any All-Star Game tchochkies that was still still left over. i was able to get an All-Star Media Guide which I wanted - for 25 cents. Spent a few more bucks on some All-Star Bobble Heads (miniatures of the ones that were deployed around Chicago to celebrate the All-Star game last year).
The odd items this year? Parking lot and stadium signage, seat parts, players luggage (huge, hard-sided Samsonite), bricks (from where?), and scoreboard modulator pieces (no idea which scoreboard).
While this was going on, there was Family Day in the Park in the outfield, where families can go (for a price - $20/adult $10/child) to play catch in the outfield for an hour. We've done this every year as part of season ticketholder parties, but it's never been done with the public. The place was packed. But there was something I had never seen before - it wasn't fathers bringing their young kids to play catch. The people that stood out were the 20- and 30-somethings that brought their fathers to play catch. An early Father's Day present that could really be something precious to have.
posted at 11:35 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, June 13, 2004
White Sox 10 - Braves 3
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Odd, day at the ballpark. Odd. It's Interleague Play time. That's only a little odd. Then today is Spiderman 2 today in Major League Baseball. All kids get a Spiderman paper mask and a foam hand. At least MLB backed-off having the logo on the bases during the game. It's Kids Day, so there's autographs before the game.
Then came the oddest part of the day. It made me angry. It made me mad. It made me ... embarrassed.
The new marketing guy (Brooks Boyer), who came from the Bulls, is still tweaking everything. First, the player introductions are much more elaborate, lasting almost 5 minutes. (Every time I hear AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" I always think of the Wolves). We also now have a small team of people that slingshot & throw T-Shirts into the crowd in-between one of the innings.
But before the game today, marketing took one more step forward and it's one step too far.
Before the game, in center field, they unveiled... a new mascot. Oh, cripes, WHY do we need a mascot??? It's some kind of indescribable thing called Southpaw. I couldn't find him during the game to get a picture of him. Maybe we'll see him again at another game <*blech*>
The game itself was strong and was a very good win. Carlos Lee now has a 27-game hitting streak, tyeing the franchise record with Luke Appling and Albert Belle (what a group).
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posted at 05:23 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, June 12, 2004
White Sox 10 - Braves 8
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Great night at the ballpark. Finally, I'm sitting in my seat at a night game in short sleeves and no jacket. It took us this long to get good weather. The place is packed, too (34,719, second largest this season). The Draw? The Braves. It's cross-pollination time and this is their first visit to the South Side.
The new marketing director is slowly making his changes - the player introductions are getting longer and bigger, there's a group of people that come out between innings (OK, just one inning) and slingshot T-shirts into the crowd (Very Bulls-like - after all that's where the marketing guy is from).
Esteban Loaiza got roughed-up for 6 runs and 2 homeruns. Nobody could figure out the strike zone of home plate umpire Gerry Davis. Pitches directly over the center of the plate weren't getting called. Eventually, in the 6th, we see Davis yelling into the Sox dugout. Ozzie emerged and put his hand out as if to say, "hey, I'm coming out here to discuss, not argue." Well, that lasted about 30 seconds and Ozzie got tossed. That set him off and he started yelling for at least 3 minutes. We were all wondering if the umpire understood a single word Ozzie said in his tirade... Welcome to management, Ozzie - you just got your first ejection...
It was a battle, where the Sox scored in every inning except the 1st. Carlos Lee extended is hitting streak to 26 games, going 3-5. Frank Thomas, who actually played 1st base in anticipation of National League parks during interleague play, had two homeruns in the game, adding more fuel to the "statistically, he hits better when he actually plays a position during the game instead of DH" debate.
Speaking of debates, we were smack dab in the middle of another one - who was going to close? There was only a 2 run lead (which has proved to be not enough is some situations - thank you, Billy Koch). The answer was Shingo Takatsu, who threw 7 pitches, 6 for strikes to retire the side in the 9th, while the crowd the whole time was on their feet chanting "Shin-go! Shin-go! Shin-go!" He's got a 1.16 ERA now. Just let the guy close already, will ya? He's the Japanese all-time saves leader, don't you think he can do this?
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posted at 10:11 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
New FUNdamentals at USCF
I was going to comment on this last week, but never got around to it...
The White Sox have this great area for kids called FUNdamentals, with batting cages, pitching cages and base running areas, all staffed by White Sox instructors. A lot of people may not even know it exists - it's by gate 3, so if you don't go in that gate, you may never see it.
The Sox announced that as part of the proposed rehabs of TPFKAC™ (U.S. Cellular Field) for next year, they are going to rebuild FUNdamentals and put it over the left field concourse.
It looks like a great location (it also looks like you just might be able to watch the game from up there) and will definitely give the area more exposure and better access.
posted at 10:48 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, May 30, 2004
White Sox 11 - Angels 2
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Today was the annual Photo Day. WAS. Some pretty good storms rolled through town during the morning. In fact, due to some driving, we wound up experiencing the same severe storm cell three different times. We got to the park early enough for the event, but I was only in line less than 10 minutes before they canceled it.
The game was delayed over half an hour, but it was worth it. In the traditional feast-or-famine approach this year, the boys score in the double digits to beat the Angels. Their pitcher - John Lackey - threw 45 pitches in the first inning alone, and left the game after 3 innings and 85 pitches.
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posted at 09:21 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 29, 2004
White Sox 1 - Angels 5
DOG DAY!
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It's Carol's most favorite White Sox game of the year - not for the actual game, mind you, it's because it's Dog Day! The left field bleachers are set aside for owners and their dogs (maximum 500 dogs that have to be pre-cleared with medical releases, so you just can't show up with a dog). We always get there early to watch the dogs arrive and then go into the park and watch the parade around the field before the game.
The game itself sucks. Ozzie Guillen is in Florida for his son's high school graduation, so Harold Baines is the substitute manager for the day. Ozzie had already made out the lineup, so he just had to manage the game. The game itself feels odd, like there's something missing, some spark, some energy.
The game is doomed anyway. It's time for our rotating-nonexistent 5th starter to pitch. We don't have a 5th, so we keep trying out people. We're not very successful, as the "5th Starter" has an 0-6 record this season while the other 4 starters are 20-8 with a 3.68 ERA in 40 starts.
Today's lucky guy is Jon Rauch, whom we haven't seen since 2002 due to injury. (Side note: he's the tallest pitcher in MLB history - yes, taller than Randy Johnson - at 6' 11").
Things are OK until the top of the 4th, which lasts about 15-20 minutes. Rauch gets into trouble and is left in a batter or two too long. We're down 5-0 by the time he gets pulled.
Then Rauch leaves. No, I mean he leaves. He knew he was just called-up for this one game, so he decides to get a jump on traffic for the trip back "home" so he leaves the park while the game is still going on. GM Kenny Williams goes down to the clubhouse to talk to him and finds out he's gone, a major MAJOR faux pax in baseball, and Kenny immediately decries that Rauch will never play for the White Sox again. (Rauch hears about all of this during the ESPN post-game show and calls-in to explain his side of the story - that it was a big misunderstanding and in no way was he dissing the team. He also called pitching coach Don Cooper to explain. Cooper, BTW, says that Rauch was all the way to Indianapolis by the time he called. Who knows what's going to happen...)
So, other than Paul Konerko's solo homerun (for which there were no fireworks so the dogs wouldn't get scared), there is nothing to talk about. The team lost some fire - does Ozzie motivate that well?
(Boxscore)
After the game we went over to Janie & Gary's new condo - yes, they're moving again. They're doing some rehabbing before they move in, so we saw the "before" look of the place. After the condo we went to the South City Tavern for dinner.
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posted at 09:28 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, May 16, 2004
White Sox 11 - Twins 0
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OK, the sun's out and it's almost 10 degrees warmer today than yesterday (though it's only 63 degrees at gametime). I'm excited about the game and angry at the same time - it's Feast Or Famine with this team. We lose yesterday but win today 11-zip.
Oh, and I'm tired of Jose Friggin' Valentin, too. He may be have been 3 for 5 in the game with a 3-run homer, but he also had 2 errors. THIS is the guy that should be the team's DH.
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posted at 06:06 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 15, 2004
White Sox 1 - Twins 4
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You know... I'm getting really tired of my underachieving teams...
Another friggin' cold night at TPFKAC™. It was in the 80's on Thursday, but tonight it's 53 degrees with winds from the northeast at 9 and it just feels like almost the coldest night yet. The weekdays are fine, but when the weekend comes and we got a game to go to, the weather gods just screw with us.
And speaking of screwing with us, why the hell can't the Sox beat the Twins? It just pisses me off. They're in 1st and every game we lose, we fall behind. This is a very critical series...
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posted at 10:02 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, May 14, 2004
Wolves 3 - Admirals 4 - West Division Final Game 6 (2 OT) 
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Season Over.
Not much to say here... the teams played the same as they played all series. The Wolves just didn't know what the hell they were doing. Those 12 days that they had off between the series killed them. Lot all of their passing prowess.
So, it's over. After 2 friggin' overtimes, we lose at home. There was a sense of anger and loss after all of this. The ref didn't call a single penalty in the 1st overtime - and even though it really pissed-off the fans, you just got to let the guys play...
I wanted to team to do well this year. Hell, we were in the playoff like we should have been, but I feel... relieved.
So long boys - see you in September...
On the way out, I ducked back in to get one last shot of the arena.
They were playing an acoustic cover of Elton John's Daniel. I heard: "Lord I miss Daniel... Oh, I miss him so much..."
I grabbed my picture and quickly ran out, tears welling up in my eyes.
They were playing that in honor of Danny Snyder... I had forgotten how the season had started...
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posted at 11:58 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Thursday, May 13, 2004
White Sox 0 - Orioles 1 - Game 1 - White Sox 6 - Orioles 5 - Game 2
Oh crap... do we feel STUPID...
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Every year with our Weekend Season Ticket package, we get one game during the week, usually a holiday. Last year - no holiday, but it was a Monday and that was OK. This year it's a Thursday. And it's Carol's Birthday to boot.
The lovely weather this week rained-out the game last night, so today is going to be a doubleheader. (They had to do that as we don't play the Orioles again this year). The the first game is at 1:05.
We were STUPID. We NEVER checked the tickets. We ASSUMED today's game was a 7:05 game, and with the double header, we thought it would be a a split day-night double header and today's scheduled game would be at 7:05 and yesterday's game would be at 1:05.
We were wrong. Thursday is typically "Get Away Day" and games are usually scheduled early. Carol called me from work at about 1:30. The scheduled showed today's game at 1:05. Sure enough, the tickets say 1:05!
We're screwed! WE HAVE NEVER had this happen before.
Well, Carol left work right away and came home. We changed and we were out the door at 2:20. We got to the park at about 3:50, just at the end of the first game. I'm glad we missed it - we lost.
There aren't a lot of people at the game. The weather is keeping them away. And then it starts to rain. Not hard, more or less a drizzle. It's going to be miserable. We start the game strong and lead 3-0, but we eventually go down 5-3. The sky gets even more threatening - we can hear static while listening to our AM radios. I realize that we need to get on top quick and get out of there. So, out loud, I say "How about a home run, we take the lead, the rain comes in and the game gets called and we win?" I say this just as Erik Bedard releases his pitch to Paul Konerko who proceeds to hit a homer into the left field seats (with 2 guys on base). As Paulee circles the bases, the skies open-up. The Ground Crew comes out and covers the field with the Sox up 6-5.
The torrential rain hits the park. People scramble for dry seats (very few in this park). Take a look at this short video of the Rain Delay.
The Rain Delay lasts an hour and 42 minutes. There aren't a lot of people left for the rest of the game. Anyway, there were no more runs and the Sox win.
We will NEVER let this happen again... how embarassing...
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posted at 10:58 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Monday, May 10, 2004
Wolves 2 - Admirals 5 - West Division Final Game 4 
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The Wolves suck. We are down in this series 2-1 and the game that we did win... I couldn't tell you how we did it. Take a look at the Gamesheet from Saturday's game. The ref was Harry Dumas, who called 38 penalties of 122 minutes (87 minutes on 26 infractions were against us). He did some other odd - possibly illegal - things like trying to use off-ice officials to verify stick infractions (which the on-ice people should do). He called 3 game misconducts (one against Coach Anderson) and a Match Penalty against Mike Weaver (which means he doesn't play tonight). Apparently Mr. Dumas asked for a police escort home.
So, tonight we have our other "favorite" ref - Dan O'Rourke. He's not a problem tonight.
Tonight, the problem was The Wolves. They look tired. They can't keep up. There's just no way in hell to keep Milwaukee outside our zone. How the hell is Kari Lehtonen supposed to stop all of the 45 shots coming at him? You've got to ask - what the hell are there 45 shots to begin with?
We're being outplayed. We're down 3-1 in the series and it goes to Milwaukee on Wednesday.
I don't expect to be back at the Allstate Arena this season.
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posted at 10:34 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Sunday, May 02, 2004
White Sox 3 - Blue Jays 2 
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Yeah! The sun's out! Not a cloud in the sky!
It was terrible! Worse than yesterday! Damn Chicago weather decided to choose "wind" to screw up our day. It was bearable while we were still in the sun, but the wind was a bit brisk. Then the sun ducked behind the stands, and it was terrible.
The only thing that saved us was these damn hand warmers that I talked about yesterday. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Worth $1!
I was distracted by having to walk around the park too many times to 1) keep warm and 2) stop my legs from twitching. The few things that stood out: bunting. I can honestly say that I haven't seen this much bunting by this team since we've had season tickets. Love the agressive base running, except Uribe got caught stealing by a mile.
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posted at 08:29 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, May 01, 2004
White Sox 4 - Blue Jays 3 (Game 1) - White Sox 6 - Blue Jays 10 (Game 2) 
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Oh boy, this was lousy. Cloudy, cold, windy, rainy.
Oh, and long. We didn't rush out the door to get to the first game of the doubleheader, since we knew that we would be there a while. We got there just after 3pm, only to find out that there's been a rain delay, so the game won't start for about half an hour. The game just seems slower because of the weather. I took a quick break and went down to the Bullpen Sports Bar to watch the Kentucky Derby. It was a nice respit from the weather, but then I needed to get back upstairs. However, while I was downstairs, the Jays get a run and tie then game. Then just to add insult to injury staying out in this weather, the first game goes into extra innings. At least we win. (Did you know that Joe Crede has had 3 last at-bat wins so far?)
They've started the All-Star Game balloting. The home opener wasn't even 3 weeks ago - how can anybody make a wise choice in the balloting instead of just stuffing the box with favorites? Based on how he started the season, do you honestly think Derek jeter should be there? Oh, and since the game is in Houston this year, there's no DH. Frank Thomas is on th ballot for 1B. Puh-lease. I'd rather see Paul Konerko, the real 1B for the Sox on that ballot. That's a slap in his face by not including him.
The second game was worse and Danny Wright (who scares the hell out of me) doesn't look good at all.
Oh! Let me tell you about something that we found that helped with the cold!!! At Home Depot, in impulse-buy stuff in the checkot lanes, we found these chemical hand warmers. They were only 97 cents for a pair. They're two fabric pouches filled with dry chemicals. You open the packages and shake the pouches. Within 15 minutes you have over 110 degrees of heat for almost 10 hours! Just stick them in your jacket pockets and keep your hands in there - they're wonderful!
It's one thing to stay behind your team in the cold/wet/wind when they're in the lead or even in the hunt. It's another thing to watch a game in the cold/wet/wind when they're not playing well. Then add-in the fatigue from enduring this for hours.
After 6 hours of this, Carol threw in the towel. She was just too uncomfortable and we left in the 7th. I don't like leaving the game, but this was just a torture to stay there. So much for the first Fireworks Night of the year...
We left, and the boys just went down the toilet and lost the second game.
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posted at 10:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Doubleheader??? 
Oh, great. The Sox got rained-out last night. Since Toronto is in the East, we only play them once a year, so they have to make-up yesterday's game today.
So like I said earlier in the week, the weather is going to suck. Let's see... what is it outside now? 46 degrees. Wind is about 10mph. Wind chill = 41. Oh, and that infamous cooler near the lake. It was going to be crappy sitting out in this to watch a night game, what the hell is this going to be like for two freakin' games???
We may have to discuss this...
posted at 10:05 AM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, April 25, 2004
White Sox 6 - Devil Rays 5 
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OK, it's our first Sunday game, a Kid's Day game, and still another change for this year: Sunday starts are an hour later now, at 2:05 PM. We hate it - it just throws-off your whole day.
The weather is only slightly better than yesterday - it's about 10 degrees warmer, but the winds are 10 mph stronger with higher gusts. Oh, and drizzle. Twice during the game.
We were losing throughout the game and I wasn't impressed with our play again. And before you know it, we're at the end of the game. Then something weird happened - the sun came out. As soon as that happened, the crowd livened-up, the players woke up, and we won the game in the bottom of the 9th. No, wait, we didn't win - they lost. I mean they loaded the bases and walked-in the winning run. Ugly.
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posted at 05:54 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, April 24, 2004
White Sox 1 - Devil Rays 4 
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What a lousy day for baseball... we were back at The Cell for our first regular Season Ticket game. It's cloudy, windy, and cold - it was 52 degrees at gametime and had gone down to 45 degrees by the end of the game. There were only 17,062 paid for the game and less in attendance. I took a quick trip around the park to look at the "new stuff". My first trip was to the upper deck to see the changes. The concourse area, though somewhat enclosed now, is actually not much different to the eye. The concession stands were rehabbed last year, so all that's different is the enclosure screens, some heavy iron cross members (since they cut-off eight rows of seats, the structure had to be shored-up). I went up to the last row of seats behind the plate. Yes, I love the roof, even with the obstructed views (reminds me of the old park). But, damn it, the climb up to those seats sucks. There is a new statue erected in the right field concourse dedicated to Charles A. Comiskey, the founder of the White Sox. Why do I have a feeling that this has something to do with the stadium naming rights going to U. S. Cellular? They also replaced something that's been missing for a year or so, something that I thought they would have taken of last year for the All-Star Game - the list of retired jerseys. Instead of being on the Club Level facade, now their on the left-center outfield wall. I don't like it - the graphics are a little crappy - a bit too stylized.
I just loved what the Daily Herald said about the game: Saturday's pitching matchup at U.S. Cellular Field featured a guy who hadn't won a game in his last 17 starts against a guy making just his sixth major-league start after compiling a middling 30-35 record in the minors. Great. I just never feel good about Danny Wright. He was "fine" through 3 and 2/3's, but he just couldn't shut them down. Frank Thomas got plunked in the 6th (after a solo homer in the 4th). The benches sort-of emptied and the bullpens sort-of emptied (the pitchers never made it to the infield). Typical baseball - no fights.
I don't know, I wasn't happy. the weather was bad, the play was bad.
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posted at 04:47 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Friday, April 23, 2004
Wolves 8 - Griffins 2 - West Division Semifinal Game 4 
SWEEEEEP!!!!
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It was an odd omen - during the pregame introductions Skates (the Wolves' mascot) for the first time in years, slipped and fell while trying to skate to a stop at center ice before letting out his howl. We knew this was going to be an odd night.
It only took the Wolves 1:46 to score their first goal and the team just started to pick-up from there. By 10:46 into the first, we were up 3-0 and Grand rapids had pulled their starting goalie Joey MacDonald for Marc Lamothe. We ended the first 4-0. At 10:57 in the second, we were up 7-0 after Lamothe gave up 2 goals within 30 seconds, and the Griffins decided to put MacDonald back in net. The 4,916 people in the place were really going nuts by then.
Derek MacKenzie had a Hat Trick and we were up 8-0. Kari Lehtonen was only 4 minutes and 59 seconds away from a shutout when the griffins finally scored a goal. They were able to sneak another one in a little later, but there was no way they were going to catch-up.
So, a year after being swept in the Western Conference semifinals by the Griffins, the Wolves get some payback.
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posted at 10:38 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Wolves 4 - Griffins 1 - West Division Semifinal Game 3 
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Well, it's Post Season time again! And, as is typical for our post-season games, there were only 2,831 people on hand. This is pretty normal - the Wolves have been unable to do any Group Sales because the dates are so unknown. It was still a loud crowd, The Griffins struck first, but the boys never let it get out of hand. In fact, they've been playing really well for weeks. There's been a playoff atmosphere at the Allstate Arena for weeks.
Steve Maltais had 2 goals and an 2 assists. Kari Lehtonen stopped 29 shots.
And now, we're in a improbable 3-0 lead in the series!
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posted at 10:10 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Home Opener - White Sox 12 - Royals 5 
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Yes! It's time to get the season started. It's time for the Home Opener for the White Sox. The drive top the park was the best we've had for any opener. The weather just sucked, though. It was a hazy sunny, but it was 43 degrees - not exactly baseball weather. Oh, and it was worse: 22 mph winds from the northeast. Miserable.
The park looked great. The new upper deck rehab actually really does change the look of the park (believe me - I was skeptical). I need to get up there and check it out sometime. The new Fan Deck seating area is a nice change too. Looks like a great place to watch the game. The item that really got me, though, was the outfield wall and all the padding around the field. It's green. I've wanted this for a long time - The Greening of Comiskey (er, "The Cell"... whatever...). It's just a matter of time when those godawful swimming pool blue seats get ripped-out and replace with dark green. I can feel it... it's coming. It will totally change the look of the park.
The game was better than expected. After the poor Cubbies lost their Home Opener 13-2 (and put them in the cellar of their division), I just wanted a win.
Exciting? Well, would you believe that after starter Esteban Loaiza gives up not one but four home runs and only one strikeout, and 2B Juan Uribe commits two stupid errors, we still trounce the Royals 12-5 with homeruns by Uribe and Konerko
(Boxscore)
After the game we went over to Janie & Gary's for dinner. Of course, most of the time we were looking through the windows at the views or actually going out on the balcony to watch the boats (and trains) go by.
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posted at 08:42 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, April 10, 2004
Wolves 1 - Admirals 3 
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Last game of the regular season.
Well, last night we played the Admirals in Milwaukee. We were down 3-1 in the 3rd and won 6-3.
No luck like that tonight. So, the regular season ends on Fan Appreciation Night.
At least we have the playoffs to look forward to.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:28 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Two in a row...
Sorry... not much going on in my life, so watching baseball is key.
Two wins in a row against the Yankees.
I like it.
Sorry, Erin.
posted at 02:58 PM | Link | White Sox | 1 comment § |
Friday, April 09, 2004
That's better...
So the Sox and Cubs start the day even - both with 1-2 records and in 4th place in each of our divisions (OK, tied for 3rd actually). I feel good about that. <snicker>
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I had to give the game yesterday to the Yankees. I mean, home opener. 80th season in Yankee Stadium. Lots of payroll. I thought losing 3-1 wasn't bad... considering who we were playing.
So, today I was able - due to my unemployment - to watch the game on TV. Oooooooo it was nice to watch. In the 9th, though, I thought I was going to watch a replay of that damn season opener against the Royals. But, going up 9-1 on the Yankees? Do you know how happy that makes me feel? I don't know who I hate more - the Cubs or the Yankees (sorry, Erin, I gotta say that... I'm just not a fan of them...). So, we trounce the Yankers 9-3. Jon Garland pitched 8 innings and gave up 4 hits and 1 run, but walked 7. « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 06:20 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
Wolves 4 - Rampage 3
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Yep, it's The Return of The King - Wolves style. Kari Lehtonen came back from his first visit to Atlanta. In his 4 games there, he was 4-0-0 with a 1.26 Goals Against Average and 95.3% Save Percentage, and notched his first NHL Shutout. There's no way in hell we're going to see him next year - he's just too damn good. To top it off, watching in the stands is another one of our former goaltenders who's now also playing for Atlanta - Pasi Nurminen. The game started well, with the Wolves scoring 2 in the First. Then a former Wolves player - Kamil Piros scored against Kari. At the end of the first came a taked-down fight with crazy Karl Stewart which got him a Game Misconduct (Rule 56(a)). Things got tense during the game and the teams were tied 3-3 in the third. Kari was good, but... how do you go from that stellar NHL debut to this??? The crowd really got into it - it is still that great Playoff atmosphere as we struggle to get a better position for the playoffs. Then Steve Maltais scored a powerplay goal with 6.7 seconds left in the game.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:07 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Monday, April 05, 2004
Oh, so this is how it's going to be...
How the hell can this happen?
The White Sox are in Kansas City and lead them 7-3 going into the bottom of the 9th.
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Seven batters and three pitchers later (Thank You Cliff Politte for the 2 runs and 13.50 ERA, Billy Koch for his 10 pitches - 7 were strikes - but none the less one hit and one run in one third of an inning giving a wonderful 27.00 ER, and Damaso Marte whose Blown Save and Loss come from 17 pitches to 3 batters that produced 2 homeruns) The Sox lose 9-7. (It's the biggest Opening Day 9th Inning comeback since 1901)
What the hell happened???? How can you start the season this way!!!??? « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 04:55 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, April 03, 2004
Wolves 2 - Griffins 1 
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Tonight was Military Night at the game. All the branches of the Armed Forces had tables setup around the arena to give away trinkets, but also boost recruiting. I only mention this because, after I went upstairs to the balcony to get a picture of the Navy Band (which only played before the warmups and then disappeared), as I came down the stairs, I, well, missed the last step and wound up falling to the floor and almost wiping-out an Air Force table. Screwed-up my right ankle pretty bad - the same one I screwed-up a few years ago when I fell at the O'Hare Metra station before a Wolves game (long story there). So, anyway, I watched the game in pain...
This was playoff-style hockey tonight. The Griffins have been slipping lately (we're in 3rd behind them - Milwaukee is in 1st). We beat them last night in Michigan, so things were a bit tense on the ice.
Saw something that I've never seen before in a hockey game. Stephen Baby shoots the puck high into the Griffins net, drops down and bounces off the left post. The goal judge (Bob Lilla) lights the light, Fireworks go off, siren sounds, crowd goes nuts (13,327, BTW)... but the ref waves it off and allows play to go on for another 30 seconds until the play is whistled dead (i can't remember why.. offside maybe?). The ref goes off to confer with the goal judge and allows the goal! Now, the fans are confused and the Griffins players go nuts with three of them charging the glass in front of the goal judge, screaming their heads off.
The play was pretty intense all throughout the game. Yes, it had the feel of playoffs. And now, with the win, we're only 2 points behind the Griffins with 4 more games to go.
Carol & I stayed a little while after the game to see something the Wolves do every once in a while - open up the ice for an hour of open skating (you have to bring your own skates). It takes way too long to get everything going (Zamboni the ice, get everyone to sign waivers, etc) and - as a spectator - a bit boring. But we watched a little and finally left.
I wasn't feeling too excited about this team's chances this year - until today's game. If they could just keep their focus and play a full 60 minutes...
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 11:08 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Ducats
Well, after a very long day at work and a long drive home, I find that we've received one of my most favorite packages of the year...
Our White Sox Season Tickets! Same old box, no new information, same seats, nothing I'm really looking forward to this season... just another season of baseball and hope...
posted at 07:05 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
The Cell's not doneSaw on the Channel 7 News tonight that it looks like the upper deck renovations at The Cell seem to be way behind schedule for the home opener on April 13th. Take a peek at the story.
posted at 04:53 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, March 20, 2004
Wolves 2 - Grizzlies 5 
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What a lousy game... we were tied 1-1 into the third when Utah scored 3 goals in 1 minute 43 seconds. *ouch* Even though we lost, the Wolves became the third team to clinch a berth in the Calder Cup 2004 Playoffs (all three teams are from the old IHL).
This was going to be a fun night for the fans. A little bit of history here...
First off, the group that sits in our general area have an unofficial name - The Penalty Box Police. The name partially comes from the fact that we do have a bunch of cops that sit around us, but it's also because we ploce the penalty box of the visiting team. We make sure that we try to get under the skin of any opposing player in the box. It always start with a chant - (for example, let's say Nick Naumenko had a penalty - and he had quite a few tonight. The group would chant: "Nau-men-ko! Nau-men-ko! Nau-men-ko! You Suck!".) OK, it's not very original (here's a sample of the chant - the audio isn't as good as it could be), but it's just our way of saying "Howdy!". The more you show up in the box, the louder and more boisterous we get. The biggest mistake is to acknowledge our existence, because we'll just turn up the taunting.
Last week, Utah was in town and the two teams had the luck of getting ol' #42 O'Rourke as a referee. This guy always blows calls and usually doesn't control a game too well. There was a period of time last week when Utah had 5 guys in the Penalty Box at the same time.
One of these guys was Zenon Konopka. I guess the guys were really after him in particular (he was in the box and made the mistake of recognizing us). The whole Allstate Arena went after this guy. First, groups of people around the stadium took turns chanting "You Suck!" at him, eventually the entire place did it together.
Well, everyone in our group was making sure they were going to be at the game tonight, ready to focus on Konopka.
The problem happened last night. Utah played Milwaukee and let's just say there was an awful lot of fighting. Our "friend" Konopka got suspended for one game. He didn't dress for today's game.
I've never seen so many people bummed out for a visiting player not to show up. Ryan, who sat in front of us, even made a "Konopka Sucks" shirt for the occasion.
Well, we got a little reprieve when Sockboy (Bill) came over to tell us that Konopka was in the seats, watching the game. Sure enough, we found him. So, we coordinated chants between both the north & south sides of the stadium to go after the guy. And, of course, he recognized us wuth a wave.
We find out during the 1st intermission, that even the AHL officials knew about us, Ryan's shirt, and Konopka being in the stands. During the 2nd Period, Ryan decides to go over to him and get the shirt autographed.
It turned out fine. Both Konopka and Justin Cox (who didn't play because of a thumb injury, probably from one of the fights last night) where really nice guys. The had a great conversation, and said to Ryan (and Brad who was with them) "Now, when we walk away, it's war!"
What a great attitude to take, having a great time together but realizing that there's a game on and alliances and allegiances must be kept.
Of course, when everybody was back in their seats, we had to chant one last time...
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:29 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Wolves 5 - Mighty Ducks 1 
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Only 4,814 at the game tonight, but what can you expect for a) a Wednesday night and b) St. Patrick's day in Chicago!
The highlight? The return to the Wolves of Bob Nardella
It was also the last night of the St. Patrick's Day Jersey Auction that I talked about a few days ago. Well, as usual, most jerseys went for around $1,00-$1,200, one or two in th $800-$900 range and a few in the $1,200-$2,000 range. Again, great for the charity, absolutely sucky for the fans who will never get a jersey (and there are a ton of people that wear jerseys to these games).
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:12 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Sunday, March 14, 2004
You can put it on your TV.... YES!!!!
Yes! Chicago White Sox Spring Training on WGN!!!
Yes!!! My life's clock is ticking!!!! Yes!!!
(I'm ignoring the fact the the Sox were on yesterday, because they played the Cubs in Mesa, so the telecast was a Cubs telecast and I hate Chip Carey so much, that it was impossible to watch...)
posted at 02:09 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Saturday, March 13, 2004
Wolves 4 - Barons 2
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Wow, a nice physical game. Not fighting-physical, just fast, hard-checking physical. Guys were finally finishing their checks, they were shooting (the Wolves had out-shot their opponents in only 20 games this year, and out-shot the Barons 38-27), they stayed on the attack and actually gave Michael Garnett some defense. Hell, it was 4-0 10 minutes into the 3rd period, when, like too often in other games of late, we let the opponents back into the game. (Kari Lehtonen was called-up to the NHL for the first time to see some real shooting. He's on the playoff roster, so we'll see him again) Nice crowd, too - 10,438.
It's time for the Annual St. Patrick's Day Jersey Auction - that little out-of-control fundraiser that regular fans just can't afford. Great for the charity (I think it's Easter Seals), bad for the fans that can't afford to get involved. Example: The auction runs for three games (tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday - St. Patrick's Day). Before the game started tonight, the bid for Steve Maltais' jersey was at $2,000. What Regular Joe Fan can afford that???
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:18 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Saturday, March 06, 2004
Wolves 3 - Hamilton 5 
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Ouch. We were outplayed tonight. We were up 3-1 at the end of 2 Periods, and before you know it, we lose the game 5-3. It was good old hockey. A cleanly fought game, no shoving grabbing, just hard checks and strong skating.
I don't know what was going on, but there were 14,112 people there tonight. That's great for the team, bad for us. We're on the aisle at center ice. The row has 28 seats, so people have to pass us every time they want something to eat or drink or ... whatever. And since they're usually group sales people, they are there to socialize and have absolutely no concept about "Wait For The Whistle" - wait for stoppage of play before you get up and disturb everyone around you!
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:37 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Saturday, February 21, 2004
Wolves 6 - Aeros 3 
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UGLY GAME. At 3:12 into the first, the first fight came. It was a doozy, with 3 game misconducts (one of their guys - Jason Marshall - got 2 minutes for Instigating (a popular one tonight), 5 for fighting, 10 minute misconduct (fighting - instigator) and a game misconduct (abuse of Officials). That'll give you the tone of the whole game. The Aeros had 77 minutes of penalties (the Wolves had 35). Yes we dominated, but Houston out-shot us 37-28. Steve Maltais had a Hat Trick, only the second one the team has had this season.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:30 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Friday, February 20, 2004
...<silence>... *tick* *tick* *tick*That's the sound of my life's clock ticking again.
Pitchers and catchers have reported!!!! Woooo Hoooo!!!!!!
posted at 07:53 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Monday, February 16, 2004
The "new lid" at "The Cell"
Since I was on the South Side today, I swung by Comiskey (sorry, I will probably always call it Comiskey) to see how the upper deck rennovations were going. The place is a ness. 35th Street is down to two lanes to accomodate the cranes. It's not done and they still have a ways to go. I'm not sure if I like it, but at least it's something to try to fix the park.
posted at 06:06 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Party?Tonight was the annual Chicago Wolves Season Ticketholder Party, but instead of holding it at the Allstate Arena like the usually do, it was held at Gameworks in Schaumburg (we were happy - Gameworks is much closer to home!). The problem with Gameworks, though, is that it's a much smaller venue. Every machine and game in the house was busy (it was all free while we were there), but it was hard to maneuver around - the lines for the buffet upstairs were huge, not to mention the lines for player autographs were much worse and much slower). We found out there was a second buffet in - of all places - the restaurant and hardly anybody was in there. It was an OK time, but it was quite a bit different and I'm not sure if it was "better" or not. I could tell by our friends John and Carol that it might not appeal to the "older demographic" - crowded, noisy, multiple floors...
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posted at 10:19 PM | Link | Mundane § |
Saturday, January 17, 2004
Wolves 5 - Moose 1 
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Well, it's time for the Manitoba Moose. I look forward to these games for two reasons - 1) singing "O, Canada" (best national anthem ever), and 2) Riding Jimmy Roy. Historically, the group of regulars in our section and the one across the aisle don't think much of this gut. He's a career minor league player, never spending a single minute in the NHL. He's an aggressive player who isn't opposed to taking dives or antagonizing opposing players. He tends to spend quite a bit of time in the penalty box (at least during our games) and when he does, he's ours. By taunting him, we have been able to take him out of his game, causing more problems for him and his team. First penalty tonight (at 6:33 in the 1st for roughing - big surprise), as we layed into him, he flipped us off, which, off course, just feeds us. It's something that entertains us all game, every game against Manitoba.
Kari Lehtonen has been day-to-day since hitting the crossbar in Wednesday's dame, so the team called-up Michael Garnett. He gave up the first goal of the game but did a pretty good job the rest of the way. The Wolves, on the other hand, out-shot the Moose 41-20 and got 5 goals past Johan Hedberg, who also wasn't "in the game", complaining about one goal and getting a Roughing penalty. (It's always a physical game when these two teams meet.) Three of our goals were on Power Plays, while Manitoba's only goal was shorthanded (Damn.)
As a side note - we didn't really miss Steve Maltais, who was "scratched" because of a Deliberate Injury Match Penalty in last night's game.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:09 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Wolves 3 - Maple Leafs 3 (Overtime) 
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Back at the Allstate Arena for the Wolves game. It's a little odd - hardly any of the "regulars" were here for the game. Today was the first day of this year's first Jersey Auction for charity. The jersey's are a special 10th Anniversary jersey, that I think looks really sharp (work with black pants and black socks). The auction, however, is already a little out of hand. The rumour is that our rookie goalie Kari Lehtonen has the potential to be the next Dominik Hasek, so the bidding in the First Intermission is already up to $1,500 and the auction doesn't end for two more games.
Though it was weird being at the game without Carol, and my jersey, and without my radio to litsen to Judd, I guess I'm glad Carol wasn't there. There was a whole group of very youing kids sitting right in front of us, with parents that didn't care that there kids were sitting on top of the seats, blocking everyone's view, not to mention continually moving around. The parents didn't undertsand the whole "Wait For The Whistle" concept to not stand up during play. It would have drove Carol absolutely nuts. Oh, and I had the young mother of the group sitting in front of me with her thong showing everytime she leaned forward to talk to the kids. Pull up your pants and pull down that sweater, already - it's a friggin' hockey game!
The group of people across the aisle weren't much better - two young couples that were absolutely loaded by the end of the night. The two women bought these oversized foam rubber Wolves claws that are sold at the arena. There were actually mock-clawing each other... as well as people they didn't know in the row in front of them... it was just weird. One of the guys tried to out-whistle the Joey & Laura's horns, trying to get louder as they blew harder, which of course, no one around them wanted to hear. It was so weird, that Joey & Laura (who were sitting behind them) actually sat next to me for the 3rd Period to get away from them.
The game itself was a mess, just like the last time we played them. The Baby Leafs are a tough, scrappy and maybe even a little dirty team. Things got physical early, but it just got stranger through the game. We were leading 2-0 after the 1st, but late in the 2nd, somebody from St. John's hip checked Kari Lehtonen who got thrown backwards and hit the back of his head on the crossbar. He got pretty shook-up, but stayed in the game. He never came out for the 3rd Period, and was replaced by Freddie Cassivi. Later in the 3rd, Mikael Tellqvist came way out of the crease to play the puck and a charging and Karl Stewart checked him, sending his helmet flying and him to the ice - and Stewart gets called for Interference. Things went steadily downhill from there, with a lot more fights. We lost the lead and the game was tied 3-3. The Baby Leafs spent way the hell too much time in our zone, just peppering whoever was in the net. We get through the Overtime Period with a tie, even though we were out-shot 50-35.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:39 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Saturday, January 10, 2004
Wolves 3 - Mighty Ducks 5 
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Boy, that game sucked. There was no flow to the game, just a lot of bad passes stealing, breaking up shots, back and forth, up and down the ice. It was actually... boring. There were a lot of people there - 11,828 (the largest of the season) - and they seemed to have all been sitting in our row. Note to people going to a hockey game for the first time: understand the concept of "Wait For The Whistle". DO NOT get up to go get a beer, some food, or go to the bathroom while play is going on. It's 1) inconsiderate for everyone that you have to disturb to get out of your row 2) dangerous since you will be blocking the vision of those around you who may not see a flying puck coming at them. Be considerate, watch the friggin' game and keep your socializing to a minimum.
That being said, the game still sucked. It's the first time we lost in six games at home.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:06 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Friday, January 02, 2004
SI quotesReading the Sports Illustrated Year In Sports issue and found a quote that put me on the floor... WASN'T THAT A LINE FROM THE KAZ TADANO FILM?
After people wearing hot dog costumes collided during a footrace at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Brewers manager Ned Yost said, "I just looked over and saw our wieners in a wad."
posted at 11:31 AM | Link | Mundane § |
Saturday, December 27, 2003
Wolves 4 - Grizzlies 0 
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It's been a month since we've been to a hockey game. Since then, the boys haven't played very well, until their win last night.
It's been a little odd going to the games lately. Most of the people that sit around us haven't been coming regularly. Chelby & Damian don't come to the games anymore. The crowd seems to be less and less "regulars" and more and more Group Sales. There aren't any giveaways at the doors anymore - in prior years almost every game had something given away. Every game is now broadcast on Comcast cable, but they didn't sign a radio contract with anybody, so If you can't listen over the Internet, you're S.O.L. Yesterday they started using a very low power AM transmitter inside the arena to broadcast the games to anybody with a radio inside (quality sucks and you can't hear it if you're going to get something to eat or drink). I don't know - the games just don't feel the same...
I'm thinking Utah was thinking the same thing. They lost an engine while still on the tarmac in Salt Lake City. They didn't get to the arena until 4:30 for the 7pm game.
That being said, we scored in the first and didn't score again until the 3rd and then it was like they smelled blood in the water. We almost had another goal when Utah goalie Mike Smith blocked a shot, but it went straight up into the air behind him, landed on the ice and almost crossed the line before it was dug-out by some Utah players. Smith never saw it. Kari Lehtonen got his first professional shutout.
Carol was ringing her cowbell quite a bit. A lady in the group sitting next to us wanted to ring the bell, so Carol gave it to her. As soon as the bell left Carol's hands, we scored. Needless to say, the bell got a workout. So much so, that a little girl three rows in front of us was turning around to tell Carol to stop ringing her bell. Did she stop? of course not!
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:37 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Makin' 'em mad...
Saw this great sign during the Bears-Packers game...
Update: Bears lose 34-21. We suck.
posted at 01:12 PM | Link | Bears § |
Saturday, November 29, 2003
Wolves 4 - Maple Leafs 1 
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It seems like we haven't been there in a while, but we were back at the Allstate Arena to see the first game (here) against the St. John's Maple Leafs. There must be some bad blood left over from their last meeting up on Canada because the first period was awfully physical. There was a total of 17 penalties in the first period. Both teams were physical and actually pretty evenly matched. By the time the third period came around, though, it looked like the Wolves were getting tired. We actually had two Power Play goals tonight, as well as an Empty Net-er.
With only 27 seconds left in the game, Karl Stewart got into a good fight (that was brewing all night) and wound up getting a Match Penalty for Attempt to Injure. Yeow. And then the Baby Leaf's Kris Newbury doesn't get a penalty for going over the top of the refs to go after Stewart. What a mess.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 10:23 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Monday, November 03, 2003
Familiar face
Well, the Sox made a decision - one that a few people find surprising - former shortstop Ozzie Guillen was named Manager of the White Sox. A few things I remember about watching him play - he has heart, intensity, he never wanted to walk (I always saw him go after pitches - and make contact - that were all over the place), and had this odd little "goofball" side of him, always working hard but having fun in the process. The downside? No management experience - though he was Third Base Coach for the Champion Florida Marlins this year. I hope this works out...
posted at 06:19 PM | Link | White Sox § |
Sunday, November 02, 2003
Wolves 3 - Crunch 4 
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So, we get to the game at the very start of the 2nd Period (more on that in another post) and we're already losing 2-1. Kari Lehtonen doesn't look as good as the last time we saw him. The team just doesn't feel like they're working together. It just feels odd. Speaking of odd - Syracuse has Pauli Levokari who used to be on the Wolves last season (for about 6 games). The guy is big - 6' 5". Coach gets one of our players to talk to the ref and say they believe Levokari's stick is too long. The ref takes the stick, measures it and - sure enough - it's too long and Levokari gets 2 minutes for Illegal Stick. Interesting move. While he was in the box, we scored, but it wasn't enough - we lose 4-3.
(Boxscore - Gamesheet) « hide the extended part of this entry
posted at 07:02 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Saturday, November 01, 2003
Wolves 4 - Griffins 3 
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Wow - 12,818 tonight for the hockey game. By 11:17 into the first period, we're losing 3-0. Freddie Cassivi looks like a sieve. What the hell is going on here? We just had to wait another 5 minutes and the Wolves score two goals within 38 seconds. We wound-up scoring 4 unanswered goals and win 4-3. The shots are starting to come up, even though we only out-shot them 35-32.
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posted at 10:06 PM | Link | Wolves § |
Saturday, October 25, 2003
My clock has stoppedWell, the Florida Marlins won the World Series over the Yankees. Good for them! I have one complaint, though. At least, I think it's a complaint. We listened to the postgame on ESPN radio on the way home from the hockey game. All I could hear in the background is the sound of New York New York by Frank Sinatra, being played over and over and over... Now, somehow it feels wrong to me to hear this. I associate this song with the Yankees. It's like they're drilling this into anybody within earshot to say, "Hey, screw you, this is New York", trying to either 1) soothe the absolutely shocked fans who just couldn't believe that their damn team lost or 2) put down Florida saying, in a way, to hell with you - it should be the Yankees who won. The flip side to this is a specific line of the song - "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere" which, actually, is a tip of the hat to the Marlins. I'm just so conflicted right now...
But, now it's over. My clock has stopped - that invisible clock that quietly ticks inside of me to the beat of the baseball season has gone silent, and won't be heard again for months. This is an extremely melancholy time for me. Baseball is life for me. It's weird. I can't explain it and I don't think I ever could. My body follows no other clock. No other sport has this effect on me. Not even the passing of the seasons have this kind of effect.
My clock waits silently for the first pitchers and catchers to return to their spring training facilities months from now.
posted at 11:31 PM | Link | Baseball § |
Wolves 3 - Roadrunners 1 |